Mexico And Panama Battle In World Cup Warm-Up Clash

The buzz in Panama City was palpable as the Panama National Team welcomed Mexico to the Estadio Rommel Fernández for a crucial international friendly on January 22, 2026. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming just months away, both squads saw this match as more than just a warm-up—it was a proving ground, a chance to fine-tune tactics and test new faces under the stadium lights.

For Mexico, this was their first outing of the new year, and the stakes felt higher than ever. After a disappointing six-game winless streak stretching back to the 2025 Gold Cup final, the pressure was mounting on head coach Javier Aguirre. The friendly against Panama was the opening act in a series of exhibition matches, with Bolivia next on the horizon. But there was a twist: this January window fell outside the official FIFA international calendar, meaning Aguirre’s hands were tied when it came to player selection. Clubs weren’t obligated to release their stars, so Mexico’s roster was a Liga MX showcase, peppered with a few notable exceptions.

Among those exceptions was Obed Vargas, the 20-year-old Seattle Sounders FC midfielder, who got the nod to join El Tri for this pair of friendlies. Vargas, who’d earned his first senior Mexico cap in October 2024, was eager to make his mark and add to his growing international résumé. According to Sounders FC, "Vargas started all 41 of his appearances in all competitions last season for the Rave Green, scoring six goals while adding seven assists." His inclusion, despite the logistical hurdles, underscored Aguirre’s willingness to experiment and reward form over pedigree.

Mexico’s confirmed starting XI blended youth and experience: Raul Rangel guarded the net, with Richard Ledezma, Víctor Guzman, Emilio Aguila, and Brayan Gonzalez forming the defensive line. The midfield trio featured Luis Chavez Romo, Obed Vargas, and Marcel Ruiz, while the attack was spearheaded by Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, and German Berterame. Notably absent was teenage sensation Gilberto Mora, left out due to a minor injury—a precautionary move by the coaching staff as the World Cup approached.

On the Panamanian side, head coach Thomas Christiansen enjoyed a relatively clean bill of health. His squad, largely comprised of domestic league talent, was coming off a gritty 1-1 draw away to Bolivia just four days prior. That result had kept spirits high, especially with striker Kadir Barría netting the lone goal in that match and continuing to stake his claim as Panama’s most dangerous attacker. Alongside Barría, Khaiser Lenis offered another potent threat up front, while New England Revolution 2’s JD Gunn was expected to start in goal, vying to solidify his spot as Panama’s third-choice keeper for the World Cup.

Christiansen’s tactical blueprint was clear: stick with the 3-4-2-1 system that had delivered consistency over the last World Cup cycle. The confirmed lineup featured Jose Gunn between the posts; a backline of Richard Peralta, Diego Aparicio, Harold Hurtado, and Orlando Cordoba; midfielders Rolando Phillips Jr., Kevin Galvan, and Kevin Barria; and a forward trio of Gabriel Herbert, Jose Murillo, and Abdiel Arroyo. This blend of experience and youthful exuberance was designed to keep Panama’s unbeaten run at home against Mexico—dating back to the turn of the century—intact.

The match itself kicked off at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. local time), with fans across the Americas tuning in via a host of TV and streaming options: FOX Deportes, TUDN, Univision, ViX, and more. 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.

Mexico’s recent form was a source of concern. Since their Gold Cup triumph in the summer of 2025, they’d failed to notch a single win in their last six matches (four draws, two losses). Their last two friendlies, in November 2025, ended in a goalless draw against Uruguay and a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay. The pressure was mounting on Aguirre not just to win, but to instill confidence and rhythm ahead of the World Cup opener against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City. As Sports Illustrated put it, "The negative run of results has dampened the mood surrounding El Tri heading into the World Cup, and Javier Aguirre must solve the glaring issues that compromised his side in the second semester of 2025."

For Panama, the stakes were equally high. After qualifying for just their second-ever World Cup, Los Canaleros were drawn into a daunting Group L with Ghana, Croatia, and England. Christiansen’s men were eager to keep building momentum, and the friendly against Mexico was a perfect dress rehearsal. Their recent results had been encouraging: a 1-1 draw with Bolivia, a 3-0 win over El Salvador, and a narrow 3-2 victory in Guatemala. The team’s defensive solidity and attacking flair had fans dreaming of a deep World Cup run.

As kickoff approached, both coaches made their intentions clear. Aguirre wanted to see if his Liga MX-heavy side could shake off the rust and rediscover their winning touch, while Christiansen was focused on fine-tuning his system and giving emerging stars like Barría and Lenis a platform to shine. The match also offered fringe players on both sides a golden opportunity to stake their claim for a coveted World Cup roster spot.

The opening minutes were predictably cagey, with both teams feeling each other out and midfield battles dominating the early exchanges. Mexico’s midfield trio, led by the industrious Vargas and the creative Ruiz, worked tirelessly to break down Panama’s compact shape. On the other end, Barría’s movement and Lenis’ pace kept the Mexican backline honest, with Gunn pulling off a couple of sharp saves to keep the score level.

As the game wore on, the intensity ramped up. Crunching tackles, tactical fouls, and flashes of individual brilliance punctuated a match that, while lacking in goals, was brimming with competitive spirit. Both coaches made liberal use of their benches, eager to test different combinations and give valuable minutes to squad players. The chemistry among Mexico’s Toluca and Chivas contingents was evident, even as new faces like Ledezma and Gutierrez looked to impress.

In the end, the scoreboard told only part of the story. While neither side managed to land a decisive blow, the match provided vital insights for both Aguirre and Christiansen as they continue their World Cup preparations. For Mexico, the search for form and confidence continues, with Bolivia up next. For Panama, the unbeaten run at home against El Tri remains intact, and the focus now shifts to fine-tuning ahead of their group-stage battles in June.

As the final whistle blew in Panama City, one thing was clear: both teams left the Estadio Rommel Fernández with more questions answered than asked. The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls on, and every minute on the pitch now could make the difference come June.