2026 World Cup: Panama and Croatia Battle in Toronto Canada

Panama and Croatia are playing each other in Toronto as part of the FIFA World Cup. The crucial Group L match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field). Both teams enter this matchup seeking their first points of the tournament after opening-game losses. Below Croatia are on the field for a warmup……

Tonight could determine the course of the Panamanian national team’s tournament run. Following their painful 1-0 defeat to Ghana in stoppage time, Thomas Christiansen’s squad faces a demanding match against a Croatian team also desperately needing points after their loss to England.  Thomas Christiansen makes only one change from the defeat against Ghana: José Fajardo starts at the point of attack.  Orlando Mosquera in goal. Amir Murillo, Jiovany Ramos, José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade and César Blackman on defense. Cristian Martínez, Yoel Bárcenas, Carlos Harvey and José Luis Rodríguez start again in midfield.  The Croatian national team has arrived on the pitch, with particular attention focused on Luka Modric. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner was a runner-up in Russia, and four years later he reached the semifinals again. 

Stay Tuned for updates as all Panama staff writers will be watching the game and reporting. 

A new development in the warm-up: Adalberto Carrasquilla below took to the field in cleats and participated in the rondo with the substitutes. Thomas Christiansen ruled him out of the squad this Monday in a press conference.

Croatia’s coach has made two changes to the starting lineup from the 4-2 defeat against England. Luka Vuskovic and Petar Sucic will start on the bench for the match against Panama.  Zlatko Dalić starts with Dominik Livakovic in goal. Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic (new signing), Josko Gvardiol, and Josip Sutalo form the defense. Mateo Kovacic (new signing), Luka Modric pictured below, Ivan Perisic, and Martin Baturina comprise the midfield. Marco Pasalic and Petar Musa lead the attack.