Panama players (pictured) gather for a team photo prior to their CONCACAF Gold Cup match against the USA on July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. (Photo: AFP Services)
PANAMA CITY, Panama – In its farewell match prior to departing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Panama will host Northern Ireland in an international friendly on May 29, 2018, at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
The Federación Panameña de Fútbol (FEPAFUT) announced the fixture Thursday, also confirming that the European side will play at Costa Rica – another Russia 2018 participant -- five days later.
"We have worked together and joined forces with the friendly federation of Costa Rica to be able to bring a European team to our countries and being able play these preparatory games, which will also help the fans of both 11s to say farewell their national teams," said FEPAFUT President Pedro Chaluja.
Neither Panama nor Costa Rica have faced Northern Ireland previously at the senior level.
