MIAMI – The FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 kicks off with four matches on Saturday, including Concacaf nation Panama meeting Paraguay in Group B at Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso, Chile.

Panama’s opening match will feature simultaneously with host nation Chile facing New Zealand to close the first matchday. Japan against Egypt, and Korea Republic versus Ukraine, will kick off the action earlier in the day.

 

 

Panama vs. Paraguay

Panama will begin its seventh participation in the U-20 World Cup, making its return after last appearing in the 2019 edition, when it faces Paraguay.

Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship Best XI selection Rafael Mosquera headlines the 21-man roster chosen by manager Jorge Dely Valdés. Mosquera had three goals and one assist and was one of the key elements that helped Panama to the Semifinals of the 2024 Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship to earn the berth to the U-20 World Cup.

The Panamanian contingent will seek to its second victory at a U-20 World Cup and first in its opening match. The nation’s previous win came in its previous match at the 2019 edition, exiting the Group Stage with a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia.

Paraguay vs. Panama

 This will be the first-ever encounter between Paraguay and Panama in FIFA U-20 World Cup history.

However, it will also mark Panama’s fourth match against a South American opponent in the tournament, with the “Canaleros” still searching for their first victory.

 

·       July 3, 2007 – Canada 2007, MD2 Group E

 

Panama faced Argentina and suffered a 0-6 defeat.

 

The Argentine goals came from Maxi “Frasquito” Morález (20’, 27’), Mauro Zárate (23’), Sergio “Kun” Agüero (25’, 62’) and Ángel “Fideo” Di María (76’).

 

·       August 4, 2011 – Colombia 2011, MD3 Group E

 

Panama squared off against Brazil, falling 0-4.

 

The Brazilian scorers were Henrique Almeida (40’), Philippe Coutinho (45+1’, 52’)

and Dudú (89’).

 

·       May 30, 2015 – New Zealand 2015, MD1 Group B

 

Panama broke a run of two straight defeats against South American sides by drawing 2- 2 with Argentina.

 

The goals for Argentina came from Ángel Correa (14’, 79’), while Jhamal Rodríguez (19’) and Fidel “El Comandante” Escobar (84’) found the net for Panama.

 

This remains Panama’s most recent encounter with a South American opponent in the category.

 

Historical record – Panama vs. South American teams (FIFA U-20 World Cup)

 

·       3 matches played

·       2 wins for South American teams (12 goals scored)

·       1 draw

·       0 wins for Panama (2 goals scored)