The Panama national team has reported for the first time in 2026 under head coach Thomas Christiansen, preparing for FIFA international window friendlies against Bolivia and Mexico.
The squad traveled Thursday for its opening match, scheduled for Sunday against Bolivia national team at Estadio IV Centenario. Panama will then return home to close the window against Mexico national team on Thursday, January 22, at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez.
Squad Mix and New Faces Under Evaluation
Christiansen called up a 22-player roster that blends domestic and international-based players. Fifteen members of the squad play in Panama’s local league, while seven are based abroad. The matches will serve as evaluation opportunities for players who have not featured regularly in recent call-ups, with an eye toward long-term roster decisions later in the year.
One notable inclusion is 18-year-old forward Kadir Barria, currently with Botafogo. Barria joined Botafogo’s youth setup in August 2025 after standing out in development competitions in Colombia and earned his senior debut late in the Brazilian season.
Despite initially featuring with the U-20s, Barria made a quick impact at the professional level, highlighted by a two-goal performance off the bench against Sport that sealed a late comeback win. He is regarded as one of Panama’s most promising young attacking prospects.
¡Kadir Barría con la "Roja"! 🇵🇦⚽️
— Deportes RPC (@deportes_rpc) January 16, 2026
El joven delantero de Botafogo ya luce la camiseta de la selección de Panamá. #EstoyMarea 📸 @fepafut pic.twitter.com/jNXtruKVu5
Panama National Team Roster
Goalkeepers
John Gunn — New England Revolution II (USA)
Eddie Roberts — Estudiantes de Mérida (Venezuela)
Ian Flores — San Francisco FC
Defenders
Richard Peralta — Monagas SC (Venezuela)
Jorge Gutiérrez — Deportivo La Guaira (Venezuela)
Daniel Aparicio — Real España (Honduras)
Javier Rivera — CD Marathón (Honduras)
Aimar Sánchez — New York Red Bulls II (USA)
Ariel Arroyo — Deportivo Árabe Unido
Juan Hall — Sporting San Miguelito
Luis Asprilla — Tauro FC
Omar Córdoba — Plaza Amador
Orman Davis — CA Independiente
Kevin Galván — San Francisco FC
Midfielders
Jovani Welch — Monagas SC (Venezuela)
Kahiser Lenis — Jaguares de Córdoba (Colombia)
Ricardo Phillips Jr. — Plaza Amador
Ángel Caicedo — CA Independiente
Giovany Herbert — Deportivo Árabe Unido
Héctor Hurtado — Sporting San Miguelito
Abdul Knight — Plaza Amador
José Murillo — Plaza Amador
Forwards
Kadir Barria — Botafogo (Brazil)
Saed Díaz — Tauro FC
Gustavo Herrera — Sporting San Miguelito
