Panama close state offices ahead of World Cup opener against Ghana

Panama shut the country for Ghana

Panama are not here to make up the numbers. State offices across the country closed Wednesday so everyone could watch the World Cup opener against Ghana (5). That is the scale of this.

Carlos Queiroz, in his fifth straight World Cup, has a group that opened the tournament by beating Onda Azul 7–1, the biggest win of any team so far. Now the real test begins. Ghana await in the early hours of Thursday, and Panama know what is at stake in Group L.

England and Croatia set the stage

England face Croatia on Wednesday night in the other Group L match (4). Thomas Tuchel told his England squad this is "an extraordinary chance. We will do everything to make the country proud" (4). Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Pickford all start for England. Croatia counter with Modric, Kovacic, Gvardiol, and Perisic.

The result matters directly to you. With both those teams sharing the group, every point is gold. A Croatia win opens the door. An England win puts them in the driver's seat before Panama even kick a ball.

Zlatan poked, Díaz shrugged

Ismael Díaz had a simple response to Zlatan Ibrahimović calling Panama a "punching bag" on television: "Zlatan being Zlatan." That is it. No outrage, no speeches. The squad heard it, acknowledged it, and moved on. Panama under Queiroz look like a team that lets results do the talking.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood among Panama supporters is quietly confident. The r/soccer preview series summed it up: this is no longer the "happy to be here" Panama of 2018, the side that celebrated Felipe Baloy's consolation goal against England. The 46th team in the series makes the case that this squad has evolved, and fans believe it.