MIAMI, Florida – Concacaf will make history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as six of their teams have qualified to the biggest tournament in women’s football for the first time. The Panamanian Women’s National Team is the sixth country to represent the federation, making their debut on July 24 against Brazil at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Australia.
Group F was Panama’s destination after their journey to get to their first World Cup, demonstrating how the Panamanian Football Federation is supporting their different categories of football, especially in the women's game.
The Canaleras will debut against Brazil, a first ever contest against the South America nation, followed by matches against fellow Concacaf side Jamaica and then closing with France in games that everyone in the region will be watching after what they showed in qualifying.
Panama’s qualification for their first ever World Cup was not an easy one. After a third-place finish in their group at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, Panama had to travel to New Zealand back in February to face Papua New Guinea and then Paraguay in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs for the last ticket Australia/New Zealand.
They took to the pitch with tenacity and dedication, beating Papua New Guinea 2-0 thanks to goals from Marta Cox and Riley Tanner. They then booked their trip Down Under in the Playoff Final, beating Paraguay 1-0 on a score from Lineth Cedeno, making this Concacaf team's dreams come true.
The player that led the way for Panama throughout the CWC and the Playoffs was Cox. She allowed her team to grow within their strengths while also taking charge of the situation. Cox scored the winning goal against Trinidad and Tobago at the CWC that got Panama to the Playoffs before finding the back of the net again against Papua New Guinea.
Alongside Cox, there is young talent that is emerging thanks to the different support the country has given them, especially in women’s football. This is the case of Tanner, that as soon as she put on the Panama jersey for the first time at the Inter-Confederation Playoffs, the 23-year-old FW showed her skills and why she is representing the country.
Another great young talent to look forward to this summer is Cedeno, the author of the goal against Paraguay that put Panama on the biggest stage.
The Canaleras are ready to make the world shake with their passion and love for the game, taking every minute as an opportunity to show why they are one of the teams to watch out in Australia/New Zealand.
