Panama training – Viral footage from Panama’s early World Cup training has set off fresh mockery online, with fans focusing on poor control and finishing drills ahead of the teams’ June 27 meeting. Despite the criticism, Panama began warm-up preparations with a 4-2 win over the
A training session meant to settle nerves has turned into fuel for mockery—after clips from Panama’s opening World Cup preparations went viral and left fans staring at what they called “error-strewn” football.
The footage. broadcast as the Panama national team prepared for a warm-up match against the Dominican Republic. showed a series of moments that sparked immediate concern about their technical sharpness. At Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez Stadium. attention quickly turned to the quality in finishing drills and offensive work after Panama said it had put focus on those areas.
In one clip. a long ball was clipped over defenders for Panama attackers to run onto. and a square ball found a forward in front of goal. The striker stumbled as he tried to control, then watched helplessly as his shot was comfortably stopped by the goalkeeper. Another moment drew reactions too—fans pointed to poor control during the open session. There was also an overhit pass that sailed beyond the attackers and straight through to the goalkeeper.
On social media, the reaction was brutal and oddly specific. One Panama fan wrote: “If our number 9 receives the little ball like that, it’s lights out and we’re done. I don’t even critique the finishing anymore.” Another responded: “What hope do we have. ” while a third added: “Please take down this video because we’re dying of embarrassment.”.
The embarrassment quickly transformed into predictions. With England set to face Panama in the group stage on June 27—after matches against Croatia and Ghana—fans argued that Panama could be dragged into a rout. Some went straight to the individual match-up talk. with one remarking that Harry Kane would end up as the World Cup’s top scorer because of the fixture against Panama. Another claimed: “Harry Kane is going to break Just Fontaine’s record. ” referencing the French forward who scored thirteen goals in six matches at the 1958 World Cup. “England are putting double digits past these,” one fan wrote.
Even as the training footage circulated, Panama were not without competitive momentum. Thomas Christiansen’s side earned a 4-2 win in their World Cup warm-up match against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, despite the session attracting mockery online.
England supporters, meanwhile, are already looking ahead to how the group stage could settle before the final meeting. England will finish their group fixtures against Panama on June 27. with the expectation they may have already sealed a knock-out spot by then—an important backdrop for a game fans are treating as a potential statement performance.
This will be the second time England and Panama meet at a World Cup. In 2018 in Russia, Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as the Three Lions won 6-1.
Panama’s route to Qatar-2026 is rooted in a strong run through CONCACAF qualification. With the United States. Canada and Mexico not involved in qualifying due to their status as co-hosts. Panama had been the highest ranked nation in CONCACAF qualification for the 2026 finals. Their World Cup place was sealed after second-round qualifying, achieved by beating Belize, Nicaragua, Guyana and Montserrat.
Their second participation at the tournament was confirmed when they won their group in the third round. They finished with an unbeaten record of three wins and three draws, coming against El Salvador, Guatemala and Suriname.
Now, as June 27 approaches, the viral clips have left a simple question hanging over Panama: can they tighten up fast enough when England—ranked far above them, with the visitors entering as the World Cup’s 33rd-ranked team—come calling?
MISRYOUM Sports News England Panama World Cup 2026 Harry Kane Thomas Christiansen Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez Stadium Dominican Republic CONCACAF qualification June 27