Thomas Christiansen will Remain in Charge of the Panama National Soccer Team: It is Official

The Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) announced this Monday, July 13, the continuation of Thomas Christiansen as technical director of the Panamanian National Team.  Through an official statement, the Executive Committee announced that it decided to continue the sports project initiated in 2020 under the direction of the Spanish-Danish strategist, who will remain at the head of the national team in principle until December 2026 but with the objective of leading the qualifying process towards the 2030 World Cup.  “The Panamanian Football Federation reports that, through its Executive Committee, it has decided to continue the sports project that began in 2020 with Thomas Christiansen as coach of the Men’s National Team,” the statement reads. 

One of the most important aspects of the agreement is that it includes mechanisms for the new Executive Committee, which will be elected in December of this year, to have the power to decide whether or not to maintain the sports project with Christiansen.  That point had been raised last Friday by the president of the FPF, Manuel Arias, who explained that any hiring should take into account the change of administration planned for the end of the year.  Arias also assured that the FPF has the financial resources to assume the coach’s contract without affecting the development programs of Panamanian football.  The FPF also reported that in the coming days the legal representatives of both parties will begin drafting the new contract, which will be formalized in the coming weeks. 

Although the agreement has already been reached, the final signature will be the last step to legally formalize the renewal.  Christiansen’s new term will begin on August 1, 2026, and aims to bring the World Cup qualifying process to a close for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.  In its statement, the national football body emphasized that the decision was made after “a thorough and detailed analysis,” convinced that the coach can continue to drive the growth of Panamanian football.  With his contract extension now confirmed, the coach will begin preparing for Panama’s upcoming official matches, which include the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November.  The draw to determine their opponent will be held on July 23, with Panama already seeded alongside the United States, Mexico, and Canada.