The path of Panama to their first Fifa Women’s World Cup appearance began at the 2018 Concacaf Championships. They were eliminated from France’s 2019 qualifying after losing to Jamaica on penalties in the third-place playoff. But for athletes like Lineth Cedeo, Karla Riley, Hilary Jaen, Yenith Bailey, Marta Cox, and Wendy Natis—players who were crucial in bringing Panama to the main event this time around—that tournament was a turning point. Panama was pushed into the international playoffs in February of this year after a difficult route. Before playing Paraguay in the championship game, Papua New Guinea was defeated 2-0 in the semifinals. Cedeo’s header in the 75th minute was sufficient for a 1-0 victory and a record-breaking qualifying.
Quintana has advocated for equal pay and opportunity for the men’s and women’s teams in addition to guiding Panama to its first FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team will gain knowledge from the competition. The team has had poor results in the warm-up games, including a 7-0 loss to Spain. Hence, there is little likelihood that they can advance past the group stage. However, there are always teams who catch everyone off guard in a World Cup. Panama may be one of them.
The Manager
Ignacio “Nacho” Quintana formerly worked as a technical assistant for the Nicaragua women’s team and as a coach for organizations like Reforma Athletic Club and Lioness FC. Despite having studied cuisine before dedicating his time to football, Quintana, a Mexican native, claims that he stopped playing at the age of 18 and instantly devoted his focus to coaching. He finally attained an A-licence as a technical director. During the competition, he said he wants his squad to perform with a grin.
Star player
The team’s superstar is Marta Cox. The midfielder was first exposed to football by her aunt Raiza Gutierrez, a late 1990s national team captain who made her debut at age 14 for Panama’s under-20 squad. She went on to win the league title with Chorrillo FC and CD Universitario, and when she played for Alajuelense, she became the first player from Panama to win the Costa Rica women’s league. Cox was the first player from Panama to represent Club León in the Mexican Women’s MX League in 2021, and Pachuca Femenil in 2022. She shares a changing room with top athletes like Spain’s Jenni Hermoso.
Rising star
Deysiré Salazar, 18, is open to the possibility of relocating to Europe soon. The Colón native has succeeded for her country since her 2020 debut. She has already won a league championship with her club team Tauro. She is being watched by US-based teams and has the potential to become one of the most significant players in Panamanian football history.
Fun Fact
“The Empress of Goal” Karla Riley dons a variety of colored boots to show her support for young people with Down syndrome.
State of Football
There have been numerous changes to women’s football in Panama, some good and some bad. There are now young and children’s leagues as well as an increasing number of women’s football academies and teams. The semi-professional Women’s Football League (LFF), established in 2017, aims to give the players a basis but has difficulties such a lack of coverage. Additionally, the 398 registered players’ ability to progress is constrained by the fact that there is only one event year. As opposed to the two tournaments in men’s football.
Our Prediction
The fundamental objective is to sow a seed for the next World Cups, either collectively or individually. President of the Panamanian Football Federation Manuel Arias has emphasized the possibilities for motivating the upcoming generation of athletes.
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