World Cup Match Preview
Panama Prepares to Face England in World Cup Amidst Team News and Broadcast Details
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Panama will face England in a dead-rubber Group L clash at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 27, 2026, with a 5:00 PM ET kickoff. England sit top of Group L on four points but need a result to secure first place, while Panama are already eliminated after back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Ghana and Croatia The Football Faithful.
Thomas Tuchel's side are heavy favorites at -700 odds, but fitness concerns over Declan Rice and Reece James have cast doubt on England's strongest lineup Radio Times. Panama manager Thomas Christiansen, meanwhile, has a near-complete squad and is targeting the nation's first goal of this tournament.
Panama Cope Without Carrasquilla for Third Match
Adalberto Carrasquilla, the creative engine of Panama's midfield, has missed all three matches after suffering a groin injury in the Liga MX final. He trained partially this week and is considered a hopeful option for a cameo role, but is unlikely to start Sports Illustrated. Cristian MartÃnez stepped in for both previous matches and is set to start again as he seeks to raise his profile for a potential move to the Spanish league.
Captain AnÃbal Godoy is also expected to begin on the bench due to a lack of match fitness The Football Faithful. Panama are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Mosquera; Blackman, Ramos, Córdoba; Murillo, Harvey, MartÃnez, Andrade; Bárcenas, Rodriguez; Waterman. Christiansen said he is proud of his players, noting that "Panama has great players, and hopefully doors will be opened to play in better leagues" CNA.
Rice and James Fitness Doubts Complicate Tuchel's Plans
Both Declan Rice and Reece James missed England training on Thursday, raising selection headaches for Tuchel Radio Times. James is dealing with a calf issue, while Rice's injury is considered less serious. England's lack of depth at right-back is a real concern, especially after Tino Livramento was ruled out before the tournament began.
Bukayo Saka, who has been managing Achilles tendinitis, is expected to make his first start of the tournament after featuring only as a substitute against Ghana Radio Times. England's predicted 4-2-3-1 lineup reads: Pickford; Spence, Guehi, Konsa, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. Harry Kane already has two goals in this World Cup and scored a hat-trick against Panama in their 6-1 meeting in 2018 Bleacher Report.
England's Group-Topping Ambitions Rest on This Result
England lead Group L with four points, level on points with Ghana but ahead on goal difference (+2 to +1) NBC Sports. A win today would likely set up a Round of 32 tie against Ecuador. Finishing second could mean facing the winners of Group K — potentially Portugal or Colombia — a much harder path Sports Mole.
Tuchel admitted after the Ghana draw that England has "work to do" to secure top spot. His team had 78.8% possession against Ghana — reportedly a World Cup record for the highest possession without scoring — yet drew 0-0 Sports Mole. Analysts at RotoWire note that Panama have conceded 2.90 expected goals against but only let in two actual goals, suggesting England will need to be clinical to avoid another frustrating result.
Panama Play for Pride and a First Goal of the Tournament
Panama have not scored a single goal in 2026, falling 1-0 to both Ghana and Croatia. Christiansen's side are one of the oldest squads in the tournament, and a goalless exit would likely trigger a significant rebuilding phase CBS Sports. Over 82,500 fans are expected at MetLife Stadium for the Saturday evening fixture.
Local Panamanian media have framed the match as a chance to "make history" against a top UEFA opponent. Panama qualified for 2026 by winning CONCACAF Group A, sealing their spot with a 3-0 win over El Salvador in late 2025 CNA. The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX in the United Kingdom The Football Faithful.
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