All about Panama Women’s Football Team for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

Panama women’s football team is one of the eight debutants at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.

Ignacio “Nacho” Quintana’s squad, which defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the Intercontinental play-offs in February of this year, earned a spot in the competition. This was a historic victory for Panama, who had lost to Jamaica on penalties at the CONCACAF Championships and had thus missed out on qualifying for France 2019.

Group F, where Brazil, Jamaica, and France will be their opponents, will be a difficult battle for Panama. Their opening game will occur on July 24 in Sydney/Gadigal versus Brazil. Although it is unlikely that Panama will move on to the next round, they aim to gain knowledge from the experience and sow a seed for developing women’s football in their nation.

Marta Cox, Natalia Mills, and Riley Tanner are a few of the essential players for Panama to keep an eye on. Cox, a midfielder, made her senior debut at age 16 and has since developed into a team captain and goal scorer. She was born in the Panama City borough of Chorrillo and played for Pachuca in Mexico.

Mills is the squad’s captain and second most experienced player, behind goalkeeper Sasha Fabrega. She plays for Alajuelense in Costa Rica and combines football with studying physical education. Tanner is a forward who was born in the US and qualifies for Panama through her mother and grandmother. She plays for South Carolina Gamecocks in the US college league and has scored three goals in six appearances for Panama.

Panama’s style of play is based on a 5-4-1 formation, with a solid defense and quick counterattacks. Quintana says he wants his team to play with a smile and convey the happiness that runs through their country. Panama may not be among the favorites to win the World Cup, but they have already made history by qualifying for it.

The Squad of the Panama Women’s Football Team for the FIFA World Cup 2023

Goalkeepers: Sasha Fabrega (CAI), Yenith Bailey (Tauro), Farissa Cordoba (Nanas)

Defenders: Hilary Jaen (Jones College), Wendy Natis (America De Cali), Katherine Castillo (Tauro), Yomira Pinzon (Saprissa), Rosario Vargas (Rayo Vallecano), Rebeca Espinosa (Sporting San Miguelito), Nicole De Obaldia (Herediano), Carina Baltrip Reyes (Maritimo) 

Midfielders: Deysire Salazar (Tauro), Emily Cedeno (Tauro), Schiandra Gonzalez (Tauro), Marta Cox (Pachuca), Natalia Mills (Alajuelense), Carmen Montenegro (Sporting San Miguelito), Laurie Batista (Tauro), Erika Hernandez (Plaza Amador), Aldrith Quintero (Alhama)

Forwards: Karla Riley (Sporting San Jose), Riley Tanner (Washington Spirit), Lineth Cedeno (Sporting San Miguelito)

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