Panama opens World Cup campaign with tough defeat to Ghana

Panama fell 1-0 in their opening game in Group L at Toronto Stadium.

TORONTO – The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued with Panama falling 1-nil against Ghana in Group L on Wednesday at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Panama had an early chance to pull ahead in the 2’, with a right-footed effort from Cecilio Waterman inside the box following a delivery from Amir Murillo, forcing a save from Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.

Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera opened the second half with an important save to deny a header from Ghana’s Jonas Adjetey.

Carlos Martínez had a good look for Los Canaleros in the 60’, but his powerful right-footed shot from the right end of the box hit the outside netting.

Panama’s Jiovany Ramos had a notable defensive intervention in the 65’, making a heroic sliding tackle inside the box to keep the match on even terms.

Caleb Yirenkyi struck the lone goal of the match in the 90’+5’ to secure the full three points for Ghana.

Panama’s next encounter will come against Croatia on Tuesday, June 23, 7 PM ET (7 PM local), at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Ghana vs Panama Post-Match Facts

• Yoel Bárcenas and José Luis Rodríguez became the only players to start all four of Panama’s FIFA World Cup matches.
• José Córdoba completed 101 passes against Ghana, the most by a Panama player in a single FIFA World Cup match.
• Panama did not face a single shot on target from Ghana in the first half. In each of their previous three FIFA World Cup matches, Los Canaleros had faced at least two shots on target before halftime.
• Panama recorded 62% possession and completed 502 passes against Ghana. In their previous three FIFA World Cup matches combined, they had never exceeded 40% possession or 350 completed passes in a single game.
• Ghana did not attempt a shot until the 48th minute. In each of Panama’s previous three FIFA World Cup matches, their opponents had registered at least one shot within the opening 10 minutes.
• Amir Murillo created three chances against Ghana, the most by a Panama player in a FIFA World Cup match.
• With 101 passes attempted, José Córdoba (25 years, 15 days) became the third-youngest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to attempt 100 or more passes in a match, behind Spain’s Pau Cubarsí (109 at 19 years, 144 days) and Portugal’s Tomás Araújo (107 at 24 years, 32 days).
• Andrés Andrade completed 20 line-breaking passes against Ghana, the highest total in the match and twice as many as any other player. Ghana’s Gideon Mensah ranked second with 10.