Panama to test new faces against India in September friendly
Panama, ranked 44th, will face 138th-ranked India in a September 2026 friendly, with coach Thomas Christiansen naming a squad featuring six debutants.
The Panama national football team will play India in Bengaluru on September 25, 2026, in a friendly match during the September-October international window.
Following the match in India, Panama will travel to Japan to compete in the 2026 Kirin Cup Soccer against Japan, Ecuador, and New Zealand. Head coach Thomas Christiansen has selected a 27-player squad for the window, bringing in six new faces for their first senior call-ups.
Only 14 players from Panama's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad have been retained. The squad announcement also confirmed the international retirement of three long-serving centurions: Eric Davis, Alberto Quintero, and Anibal Godoy.
Key Players for Panama
With the match against India seen as an opportunity to experiment, the spotlight will be on both established figures and new prospects in the Panama squad.
Amir Murillo: The Defensive Pillar
Amir Murillo is the most experienced defender in the squad. The versatile right-back, who plays for Turkish club Besiktas, can operate anywhere across the backline. In 97 appearances for Panama, Murillo has contributed to more than 20 goals. He played every minute of Panama's three matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Murillo is described as a modern full-back known for effective overlapping runs and a high work rate. He is also strong in one-on-one defensive situations and possesses notable physical and aerial abilities.
Carlos Harvey: The Midfield Engine
Carlos Harvey operates as Panama's defensive midfielder, though he can also play as a center-back. The Minnesota United player is an imposing presence known for clean tackling and winning duels to regain possession.
Despite his defensive role, Harvey makes dangerous late runs into the box and is a threat from set-pieces. He also has a powerful long-range shot, exemplified by a 30-yard goal he scored in a pre-World Cup friendly against Brazil.
Josue Vergara: The New Striker
The most exciting new call-up is 19-year-old striker Josue Vergara. After impressing for the Panama U-20 team and scoring goals for KAA Gent in Belgium, he has earned his first senior national team selection. This season, he has scored four goals, including one in UEFA Conference League qualifying against Hibernian.
Vergara is a traditional number nine who stands 6'5". He excels in the air, is effective in hold-up play, and is considered lethal with chances inside the penalty area. The match against India presents his first chance to test himself at senior international level.
The match is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
