MIAMI, Florida – The Panamanian Women’s National Team will be the final Concacaf team to make their debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as the Canaleras will play on Monday at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Australia against 2007 Runner-ups and 2022 Copa America champions Brazil, as part of Group F.
Getting Down Under has been a roller coaster for Panama, however, the team has demonstrated the support the country has given to women’s football over the last years. Now, it’s time for the Central American side to show why they are part of the biggest tournament.
After finishing third in their group at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, Panama clinched a ticket to the Inter-confederation playoffs. With three tickets left, they knew it was time to shine.
In their first game in New Zealand, they defeated Papua New Guinea 2-0, so it all came down to the final game against Paraguay. Never giving up, Las Canaleras did it, scoring the goal that would take them to their first Women’s World Cup.
MF Marta Cox and FW Riley Tanner scored the two first goals for Panama, but it was Lineth Cedeno’s goal that would allow Panama to be part of the biggest World Cup yet. She is one of the players that the rest of the teams in Group F will try to cover, however, the depth of this team goes beyond just one line.
Brazil will be the first test for the latest Concacaf debutants, a country that knows what it means to play a World Cup final. La Selecao arrives as the current Copa America champions, with a roster that mixes experienced players and new faces.
The Canarinha has many players to watch, especially the ones in midfield against Panama, but the one that everyone will have their eyes on is Marta Vieira da Silva. The all-time scorer in Women’s World Cups will be playing her last major tournament, making this match one of the most special ones this summer.
This will be the first time these teams have faced each other in any competition, with fans looking forward to witnessing how this historic encounter unfolds.
With everything to win and even more experience to live, Panama will be ready to show why they are a team that everyone should be excited to watch.
