Although the results were disappointing, Panama’s performances told a more competitive story than the standings suggest, with the team remaining in the fight for long stretches of each match.

Furthermore, Panama couldn’t get their first win in World Cup history. However, the image on the field was great showing huge progress compared to what happened in Qatar 2022.

How did Panama perform at the 2026 World Cup?

Panama opened the tournament with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ghana before falling again 1-0 to Croatia in their second group-stage match. The Central American side then closed their campaign with a 2-0 loss with England, finishing fourth in Group L without earning a point. Those three defeats officially ended Panama’s hopes of reaching the Round of 32.

Were Panama better than their record suggests in 2026 WC?

In many ways, yes. Despite finishing the tournament with zero points, Panama competed hard in all three matches and never stopped fighting against stronger opponents. That competitive spirit gives the team positives to build on even if the final standings paint a difficult picture.

What’s next for Panama?

The focus now shifts to rebuilding ahead of future international competitions such as Gold Cup and maybe Copa America. While Panama leave the 2026 World Cup without points, the experience gained against elite opposition could prove valuable as the national team prepares for the next World Cup cycle and upcoming regional tournaments.

Did England qualify for next round in 2026 World Cup?

Yes. England qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 as the winner of Group L. The Three Lions finished on top of the standings after an impressive group-stage campaign, earning the favorable position in the knockout bracket that comes with winning the group. Their first-place finish also keeps them on course as one of the tournament favorites heading into the elimination rounds.

The Central American side suffered defeats against Ghana and Croatia, results that not only ended their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 but also caused a significant drop in the FIFA World Ranking.

However, a shocking win against a powerhouse such as England could produce a a huge boost for Panama. They want their first victory in World Cup history and that might impact their final place in the ranking.

What is Panama’s current FIFA ranking?

Panama are currently ranked No. 42 in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,489.05 points. Since the start of the 2026 World Cup, Los Canaleros have dropped eight places, making them one of the biggest ranking fallers of the tournament.

How many FIFA ranking points have Panama lost?

Panama lost 33.83 FIFA ranking points after their narrow 1-0 defeat to Ghana in the opening match. The team’s second loss, this time against Croatia, cost another 16.27 points. Those two defeats combined explain Panama’s sharp decline in the live FIFA rankings.

According to The Sun, Rice is being rested as a precaution after dealing with hamstring and calf complaints leading up to the match. A win or even a draw against Panama would guarantee Tuchel’s side first place in Group L.

England opened the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Croatia before playing to a scoreless draw against Ghana, results that left the Three Lions in control of first place in Group L. Panama, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to both Ghana and Croatia and can no longer advance to the Round of 32.

Why is Declan Rice on the bench against Panama?

Rice’s absence from England’s starting lineup is part of Thomas Tuchel’s rotation plan rather than a disciplinary or injury issue. With qualification already secured, the manager has opted to rest the midfielder to preserve his fitness for the knockout stage and give other players a chance to feature.

What does Rice’s absence mean for England?

Although Rice isn’t starting and even Reece James isn’t playing today, England still have enough depth in midfield as they look to finish the group stage with another positive result. The match also gives Tuchel an opportunity to evaluate other options before the knockout rounds begin.

A strong performance against Panama would allow England to carry momentum into the Round of 32 while preserving one of their key players for the matches that matter most.

England is looking to secure first place in the group and improve its path through the knockout stage, while Panama, already eliminated, is hoping to finish its tournament with the nation’s first-ever World Cup victory. What happens today will have more implications for England than for Panama.

FIFA has appointed an experienced officiating crew from Qatar to oversee today’s match between England and Panama at New York New Jersey Stadium. In fact, he already was in charge of the game between Portugal and DR Congo.

Who is the referee for England vs Panama?

The referee for today’s World Cup match is Abdulrahman Al Jassim of Qatar. Al Jassim is one of Asia’s most experienced international officials and has previously taken charge of major FIFA and AFC competitions. The referee will be wearing a black uniform, while England will don their red shirt as Panama wear their white kit.

Full referees crew for England vs Panama

The complete referee team for England vs Panama. Referee: Abdulrahman Al Jassim (Qatar). Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Almarri (Qatar). Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Almaqaleh (Qatar). Fourth Official: Sandro Schaerer (Switzerland). Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Stephane de Almeida (Switzerland).

On the other side, Panama have already been eliminated but they’re still chasing a first-ever victory in FIFA World Cup history before heading home. It’s been a bittersweet tournament as they deserved better results against Ghana and Croatia.

The match also takes place at one of the tournament’s most iconic venues, a stadium that will host the biggest game of the competition just a few weeks from now. What happens against Panama today will affect England’s Round of 32 path.

What city is hosting England vs Panama?

England and Panama are playing in New Jersey. The match is being held at New York/New Jersey Stadium, one of the premier venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has played a major role throughout the tournament and will also host the World Cup final on July 19. Referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim will officiate England vs. Panama today.

What is the weather forecast for England vs Panama?

Weather conditions are expected to be warm and humid. The forecast calls for a temperature of 24°C (75.2°F), with a 72% chance of rain and humidity around 73%.

What is the attendance for England vs Panama?

A crowd of 80,663 fans is expected for today’s Group L clash between England and Panama. That figure represents a near-capacity atmosphere at New York/New Jersey Stadium, creating another great setting for one of the final matches of the group stage.

James reported muscle tightness earlier this week and missed England’s final training session before the match. With the Three Lions already qualified for the Round of 32, Tuchel has opted not to risk the Chelsea captain, prioritizing his availability for the knockout stage.

England enter the final group match with their away uniform, looking to regain momentum after a scoreless draw against Ghana. A victory or a draw against Panama would be enough for Tuchel’s side to secure first place in Group L, while Panama have already been eliminated but are still searching for the first World Cup points in the nation’s history.

The absence is particularly notable because Tino Livramento is also unavailable due to a calf injury, leaving England to rely on alternative options such as Djed Spence or Jarell Quansah on the right side of the defense.

Could England rotate more players?

With qualification already secured, England (ranked No. 4 by FIFA) could make additional lineup changes as Tuchel manages the squad before the knockout rounds. Declan Rice is another player being monitored after experiencing physical discomfort during the group stage, making Kobbie Mainoo a potential replacement in midfield.

Despite the expected rotation, England remain focused on finishing atop Group L and building confidence before the Round of 32 after collecting four points from their opening two matches.

How to watch Panama vs England in the USA

Fans across the United States can watch this highly anticipated showdown live on FOX and Telemundo through traditional TV coverage.

Streaming options include Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium, giving supporters multiple ways to follow the action.

Can I watch Panama vs England for free?

U.S. viewers can watch this exciting matchup live on Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Eligible new users may qualify for a free five-day trial.

Both services provide live nationwide coverage, allowing fans to follow every key moment as it happens.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

England head into their final group-stage match needing a win over already-eliminated Panama to secure first place. A victory, draw or defeat against Panama will impact England’s final position for the Round of 32.

Following a scoreless draw against Ghana, the Three Lions sit on four points in a group where three teams are still battling for qualification.

Panama are guaranteed to finish last regardless of the result, giving Harry Kane and England a prime opportunity to wrap up the group stage with a victory. The uniforms for England vs Panama are set, with referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim officiating the England-Panama game.

Panama vs England: Confirmed Lineups

Panama (5-4-1): Orlando Mosquera; Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade, Jorge Gutiérrez; Cristian Martínez, Yoel Bárcenas, Carlos Harvey, José Luis Rodríguez; Tomás Rodriguez.

Declan Rice isn’t starting today for England, who line up like this (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford; Jarell Quansah, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.

What time is the Panama vs England match?

The match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium kicks off today, June 27, at 5:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 5:00 PM
Central Time: 4:00 PM
Mountain Time: 3:00 PM
Pacific Time: 2:00 PM

Those results have left the Three Lions in an excellent position to win Group L and advance to the Round of 32. With stars such as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the squad, England are also hoping a deep World Cup run will strengthen their standing among the world’s elite teams.

The tournament has already affected England’s FIFA ranking, even though the Three Lions have managed to remain inside the world’s top four. The game with Panama is very important for the list.

What is England’s current FIFA ranking?

England are currently ranked No. 4 in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,829.82 points. Unlike several other top national teams, England have not changed positions since the start of the 2026 World Cup, maintaining their place among the world’s four highest-ranked sides.

How has the World Cup affected England’s FIFA ranking?

England earned 19.66 FIFA ranking points thanks to their impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia in the tournament opener. However, the scoreless draw against Ghana proved costly, causing the Three Lions to lose 17.66 points. Although the net impact has been relatively small, every result matters in the battle among the world’s highest-ranked national teams.

What would happen to England’s FIFA ranking with a win vs Panama?

A victory against Panama at New York New Jersey Stadium would allow England to add more FIFA ranking points and reinforce their position inside the top four. It would also provide another confidence boost ahead of the Round of 32, where tougher opponents await.

Could England drop in the FIFA rankings?

Yes. Because Panama are currently ranked No. 42 in the FIFA World Ranking, failing to beat Los Canaleros would have a significant impact on England’s rating. A draw, or especially a loss, would cost the Three Lions valuable ranking points and could result in a notable drop in the next FIFA ranking update.

Thomas Tuchel and his staff had more than enough time to regroup after the shocking 0-0 tie against Ghana. Entering the game against Panama in first place with four points and a better goal difference than Ghana (four points, as well), England only need a point to advance as first or second in Group L of the 2026 World Cup.

However, just as important as the showdown between England and Panama at New York-New Jersey Stadium, what happens if Croatia win, tie or lose against Ghana carries equal relevance. As for Panama, they are the only side already eliminated from Group L and, heading into the game against the Englishmen, the only team yet to score a goal at the 2026 World Cup. Against the Three Lions, the Canaleros look to snap their drought and put Tuchel’s side against the ropes.

What happens if England win vs. Panama?

Not only would a win and three more points be enough for England to officially punch their ticket to the round of 32, but it could very well secure first-place in Group L. In order for that to happen, England would have to defeat Panama while Ghana tie or lose against Croatia.

If both the Three Lions and Black Stars win, the 2026 World Cup tiebreaking rules will come into effect. As it stands, England have the better goal differential and as they face a weaker side than Ghana do, that should stay that way. However, anything can happen.

As for Panama, a loss would only be par for the course given the way the 2026 World Cup has gone for them. Panama would finish dead last in Group L with a loss, but then again, they are guaranteed to finish fourth regardless of the outcome in their group-stage finale. Their fate is sealed.

What happens if England and Panama tie?

In the event the matchup between England and Panama at New York-New Jersey Stadium ends in a stalemate, the Three Lions would officially be through to the round of 32 with five points. However, their attention would shift to the action between Ghana and Croatia in Philadelphia, where England would learn whether they finish first or second in their group.

With a draw against Panama, the only way England can still win Group L is if Croatia and Ghana draw as well. That’s because Ghana and England would be tied on points, with England holding the advantage on goal difference. If not, whichever team prevails between Croatia and Ghana will finish in first place, leaving England in second.

It may not feel too important, but it is. First place in Group L faces a third-place team, while the runner-up goes against Group K’s runner-up, which is trending to be either Colombia or Portugal, depending on what happens in their game. As for Panama, they would still finish last in their group, but at least they would have secured their first—and only—point at the 2026 World Cup.

What happens if England lose vs. Panama?

First and foremost, England’s status as a 2026 World Cup contender would be called into question if Panama—arguably the worst team in the tournament—defeat them. As for their odds, England most likely wouldn’t be eliminated with a loss to Panama. All the loss would do is guarantee England can’t win their group. If Ghana win or draw against Croatia, England would still finish second in Group L. Moreover, they could also finish second if Croatia defeat Ghana and the Three Lions end up with a better goal difference than the Black Stars.

The only way England could finish third in Group L—the lowest possible position for them—is if Croatia defeat Ghana and the Black Stars hold the tiebreaker advantage. That seems unlikely, as it would require Panama to defeat England by a larger margin than Croatia do against Ghana. Still, it’s a possibility that can’t be ruled out. Even if that happens, England would be in a good position to finish among the best third-place teams in the 2026 World Cup thanks to their four points in the group stage.

From Panama’s perspective, a win over England would be the perfect way to end an otherwise abysmal summer at soccer’s biggest tournament. Still, Panama would finish in fourth place in Group L.

2026 World Cup Group L standings

A positive result today would secure the top spot in the group and potentially provide a more favorable path heading into the Round of 32. It’s crucial game for Thomas Tuchel and his players.

Panama, meanwhile, have already been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. Consecutive defeats to Ghana and Croatia left Los Canaleros with zero points, meaning they no longer have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

What uniform is Panama wearing today vs England?

Panama will take the field in an all-white kit. They are set to wear white shirts, white shorts, and white socks instead of their traditional all-red uniform. It is a noticeable change from the colors most fans associate with the national team.

What uniform is England wearing today vs Panama?

England will also depart from their traditional look. Rather than wearing their iconic white home kit, the Three Lions will play in red shirts, navy blue shorts, and red socks for the final Group L match.

Why England vs Panama today is important?

Although England have already secured qualification for the Round of 32, finishing first in Group L remains the objective. A victory over Panama would guarantee the group title and could significantly influence England’s route through the knockout stage. For Panama, the match represents an opportunity to finish their World Cup campaign on a positive note despite already being eliminated. Surprisingly, Declan Rice isn’t starting for England today.

Here is how the Group L standings look following the conclusion of Round 2:

Croatia found the perfect way to bounce back in Group L, putting themselves in prime position to secure a spot in the knockout stage when it squares off against Ghana in a high-stakes Round 3 finale.

Are Panama eliminated from the 2026 World Cup?

Yes, Panama have been officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup following their loss to Croatia. Sitting at the bottom of the table with zero points, the Central American squad has run out of mathematical lifelines. England and Ghana currently pace the group with four points each, and because Croatia own the head-to-head tiebreaker, Panama’s hopes of advancing have completely vanished.

Even a massive, lopsided victory over England in the group finale wouldn’t move the needle; a win would only cap Panama’s maximum potential at three points. While that could technically pull them level with Croatia, FIFA’s tournament tiebreaker rules prioritize head-to-head results first, ensuring Croatia would advance as either a top-two finisher or one of the best third-place teams.

Group L Round 3 fixture schedule

With only Croatia, Ghana, and England left fighting for a spot in the Round of 32, a multitude of scenarios could unfold to determine the final seeding. Here is the upcoming schedule for the decisive Round 3 fixtures in Group L: