Panama hosted Mexico at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez on January 22, 2026, in a key international friendly as preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 intensified. With the tournament only months away, both teams treated the encounter as a valuable opportunity to sharpen tactics and assess squad depth rather than a routine exhibition.
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Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen entered the match with few fitness concerns and a squad largely drawn from domestic competitions. Confidence remained high following a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Bolivia days earlier, where forward Kadir Barria once again proved his importance by scoring Panama’s only goal.
The anticipation was sky-high, not just because of the World Cup implications, but due to the rich history between these two sides. In their last five head-to-head meetings, Mexico had come out on top every single time, but the Estadio Rommel Fernández has always been a tricky venue for El Tri, with its raucous atmosphere and passionate Panamanian supporters.
Croatia Makes Alexandria Their World Cup 2026 Training Base
When the match concluded, both sides left the stadium with valuable insights gained ahead of the World Cup. Every match now carries added significance as teams build toward June, and this fixture marked their first appearance of 2026 before upcoming exhibition games against Bolivia, despite taking place outside the official FIFA window.
Alexandria, Virginia, has been selected as the base camp for Croatia during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be staged across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Managing logistics across such a wide geographical area presents a major challenge for participating teams. Click to read more about Panama vs Croatia Tickets.
The Croatian Football Federation said that Alexandria was its first-choice destination for a base camp after visiting 60 potential venues before and after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw in early December. During the tournament, the Croatian squad will stay at Hotel AKA Alexandria, which opened in 2023, and train at the Episcopal High School sports complex.
Croatia brings experience and Ambition into World Cup 2026
Croatia will begin its FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L campaign against England in Dallas on June 17, before facing Panama in Toronto on June 23 and Ghana in Philadelphia on June 27. The national team has featured in the final four in the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup after being defeated 4-2 by France in the 2018 final in Russia and beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place play-off in 2022 in Qatar.
The team has established itself as one of the most successful national teams of the modern era. Croatia has consistently advanced from the World Cup group stages since 2014 and remains one of UEFA’s most reliable performers. As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, the team enters with a new core forming around its golden generation.
Luka Modric is Croatia’s all-time leader in appearances with 194 caps and has played in four World Cups and multiple European Championships. He won the 2018 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award in over a decade.
Dalic Leads Croatia Back to World Cup as Group Winners
Croatia secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 by finishing first in UEFA Group L, thereby earning a direct spot in the finals. The team’s key moment came with a 3-1 home victory over the Faroe Islands, a result that guaranteed a first-place finish in the group over the Czech Republic.
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Zlatko Dalic has been in charge of Croatia since 2017, making him the longest-serving head coach in the team’s modern era. Under his leadership, Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final, secured third place in 2022, and advanced to the 2023 UEFA Nations League final, while continuing to guide the squad’s evolution toward World Cup 2026.
1. Where Will Croatia Prepare for the World Cup?
Croatia will base its World Cup 2026 preparations in Alexandria, Virginia. The team will stay at Hotel AKA Alexandria, which opened in 2023, and use the Episcopal High School sports complex for training.
2. Why did Croatia choose Alexandria as its base camp for the World Cup?
Alexandria was selected after visiting more than 60 potential venues, proving it meets Croatia’s high standards. The city provides modern training facilities, comfortable accommodation, and easy travel access. This makes it an ideal hub for World Cup preparations before the group stage matches begin.
3. How Did Croatia Qualify for the World Cup?
Croatia earned direct qualification by finishing first in UEFA Group L. A key 3-1 home win over the Faroe Islands secured their top spot ahead of the Czech Republic. The result continues Croatia’s tradition of strong performances in European qualifying campaigns.
4. Who Will Croatia Face in the Group Stage of the World Cup?
Croatia will open its Group L campaign against England in Dallas on June 17. They will then face Panama in Toronto on June 23 and Ghana in Philadelphia on June 27. The group presents a mix of strong European competition and emerging teams from other continents.
5. How Has Panama Prepared Ahead of Facing Croatia in the World Cup?
Panama has used high-profile friendlies, including a recent match against Mexico, to sharpen tactics and build confidence. The squad, led by Thomas Christiansen, is largely drawn from domestic competitions, providing depth and cohesion.
6. What Makes Croatia a Strong Contender at the World Cup?
Croatia has reached the semifinals in the last two World Cups and consistently advanced from the group stage since 2014. The team combines a golden generation of experienced players like Luka Modric with promising new talent.
7. How Important Are Key Players and Coaching for Croatia in the World Cup?
Luka Modric is Croatia’s all-time appearance leader with 194 caps, bringing unmatched experience to the squad. Coach Zlatko Dalic has guided the team to the 2018 final, the 2022 third place, and the 2023 UEFA Nations League final. Their leadership ensures Croatia remains highly competitive and well-prepared for the World Cup 2026.
8. Is there a money-back guarantee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets?
Yes, eTicketing provides a 150% money-back guarantee on all FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, ensuring a secure and reliable booking experience and giving fans extra confidence in their purchase.
9. Can fans buy tickets for Panama matches at the Soccer World Cup?
Yes, fans can buy tickets for Panama matches. Through eTicketing, supporters can securely choose their preferred seats in the stadiums hosting the Panama games and guarantee their spot to watch the team live.
10. Where can fans safely purchase Panama vs Croatia Tickets for FIFA 2026?
Fans can securely purchase Panama vs Croatia Tickets through eTicketing.co. The platform offers multiple payment options, and supporters are advised to check stadium and city details early to select the best seats and enjoy the match.