Panama face England on Saturday, 27 June 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the final Group L fixture of the Football World Cup in 2026. England enter the match already through to the Round of 32 as group winners, while Panama have been mathematically eliminated after back-to-back defeats to Ghana and Croatia.
In this blog you will find how to watch Panama vs England, kick-off times, team news, squad lists, and a full tactical preview of this Group L finale.
Key Details
- Date: Saturday, 27 June 2026
- Kick-off Time: 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. BST
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports / FS1 (USA) | ITV1 / ITVX (UK) | SBS (Australia) | BBC iPlayer / ITVX (streaming, UK)
Where to Watch Panama vs. England Football World Cup Match?
ITV1 holds the UK broadcast rights for the Panama vs England group finale, with coverage beginning at 20:45 BST and kick-off at 22:00 BST.
In the United States, Fox Sports and FS1 carry all 104 matches in English, with Spanish-language coverage available on Telemundo and Universo. Streaming in the US is available via Fox One, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV.
In Australia, SBS broadcasts the World Cup free to air. Canadian fans can access coverage through Bell Media.
How to Watch Panama vs. England with a VPN
If the match is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, which broadcasts England’s group stage finale live at no cost.
ITVX is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, meaning fans outside the UK cannot access it directly. A VPN assigns you a British IP address, bypassing that restriction legally for personal use.
Follow these steps to watch via VPN:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to receive a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for the Panama vs England match and stream it live.
Panama vs. England Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Panama Team News
Thomas Christiansen, the Danish coach who guided Panama through an unbeaten CONCACAF qualifying campaign, arrived at his second major tournament in charge of Los Canaleros. Christiansen, who had a brief spell as Leeds United manager in 2017, has built Panama into a collective, disciplined unit that qualified with a goal difference of plus 14 across two rounds.
Panama opened the tournament against Ghana on 17 June in Toronto and dominated long stretches of the match, only to concede a stoppage-time goal from Caleb Yirenkyi and lose 1-0. Against Croatia five days later at the same venue, they were again the better side for much of the game before substitute Ante Budimir tapped in a cross at the far post to seal a 1-0 defeat. Both losses were narrow but sufficient to eliminate Panama before their final group match.
Captain Anibal Godoy, 36 years old and Panama’s all-time record international with 159 caps, brings veteran leadership to a side that is older than most in the tournament, averaging 30 years. Creative hub Adalberto Carrasquilla, known as Coco, pulled the strings throughout both matches. Up front, Ismael Diaz and Cecilio Waterman provided pace and directness on the counter. Panama travel to New Jersey with their World Cup over in terms of advancement, but with a chance to end their tournament on a positive note against one of the pre-tournament favourites.
England Team News
Thomas Tuchel, the German coach who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and took charge of England ahead of this tournament, made several bold selection decisions that drew headlines. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were both omitted, while Trent Alexander Arnold was left out in favour of Djed Spence. Tuchel told the press he selected the best squad rather than the 26 most talented players.
England won their European qualifying group without conceding a single goal across all eight matches, recording five wins and no defeats in their final qualification round, including a 5-0 victory in Serbia. Their pre-tournament warm-up included wins over New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida before the squad relocated to their base in Kansas City.
At the World Cup, England began with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Croatia, with Kane scoring twice and the Three Lions showing attacking intent throughout. The Ghana game was a sharp contrast: a 0-0 draw in which England failed to create enough despite their superior ranking. Kane praised Ghana’s defensive structure after the match, while manager Tuchel acknowledged the result was a reality check. England are already confirmed as Group L winners heading into the Panama fixture, giving Tuchel scope to rotate his squad ahead of the knockout rounds.
Panama World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Luis Mejia, Orlando Mosquera, Jose Guerra
- Defenders: Cesar Blackman, Jorge Gutierrez, Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Andres Andrade, Edgardo Farina, Jose Cordoba, Eric Davis, Jiovany Ramos, Roderick Miller
- Midfielders: Anibal Godoy, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martinez, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Cesar Yanis, Yoel Barcenas, Alberto Quintero, Azarias Londono
- Attackers: Ismael Diaz, Cecilio Waterman, Jose Fajardo, Tomas Rodriguez
England World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
- Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Trevoh Chalobah
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Panama vs. England Match Preview
Panama and England meet at MetLife Stadium on 27 June in a match that carries contrasting stakes. England are already through as group winners and will be looking to manage fitness and momentum ahead of the knockout stage. Panama, eliminated after two defeats, will approach this fixture with freedom, knowing a strong performance could serve as a statement ahead of the 2030 cycle.
England’s path to this fixture has been steady if uneven. The 4-2 win over Croatia showed attacking capability but also defensive vulnerability. The 0-0 draw against Ghana revealed that England can be disrupted by compact, defensively organised sides. Panama play a similar style to Ghana, pressing aggressively in moments and looking to exploit transitions.
Tactical Outlook
Tuchel is expected to rotate significantly, giving fringe players such as Ivan Toney, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, and Eberechi Eze starting opportunities with the group stage already won. Bellingham and Rice may be rested to protect them for the knockout rounds, shifting the creative load to younger squad members. England are likely to set up in their customary 4-3-3, looking to dominate possession and create overloads down the flanks.
Panama will compact defensively and look to frustrate England in the first third before releasing Carrasquilla and Waterman in transition. Amir Murillo’s overlapping runs from right back created danger in both previous matches. Panama’s best moments against Ghana and Croatia came through quick vertical passes into Ismael Diaz, who is sharp in tight spaces. The key matchup will be between Panama’s pressing high line and whichever England central midfielder is deployed to dictate tempo.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Day | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 25 June 2026 | Thursday | Multiple Group Stage Matchday 3 fixtures |
| 26 June 2026 | Friday | Multiple Group Stage Matchday 3 fixtures |
| 27 June 2026 | Saturday | Panama vs England (MetLife Stadium, 22:00 BST) |
| 27 June 2026 | Saturday | Croatia vs Ghana (simultaneous, Group L) |
| 28 June 2026 | Sunday | Final group stage matches across multiple groups |
| 29 June 2026 | Monday | Round of 32 begins |
| 30 June 2026 | Tuesday | Round of 32 continues |
| 1 July 2026 | Wednesday | Round of 32 continues |
| 2 July 2026 | Thursday | Round of 32 continues |
| 4 July 2026 | Saturday | Round of 32 concludes |
| 5 July 2026 | Sunday | Round of 32 concludes |
| 8 July 2026 | Wednesday | Round of 16 begins |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in 2026 Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the 2026 Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panama vs England kicks off on Saturday, 27 June 2026 at 22:00 BST (5:00 p.m. ET) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the final round of Group L fixtures at the Football World Cup in 2026.
Both teams are in Group L alongside Croatia and Ghana. England qualified as group winners following a 4-2 win over Croatia and a 0-0 draw with Ghana. Panama were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Ghana and 1-0 to Croatia.
England won their opening fixture 4-2 against Croatia in Dallas, with Harry Kane scoring twice. They then drew 0-0 with Ghana in a more difficult encounter in Boston, confirming their place in the knockout rounds as Group L winners.
Panama have struggled to convert their chances at this World Cup. Ismael Diaz has been their most dangerous attacker, with his direct running in behind the defensive line creating problems. Cecilio Waterman provides a physical presence and hold-up option in attack.
The two nations have only met once before, at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where England won 6-1. Felipe Baloy scored Panama’s only goal in that match, which was also the first goal ever scored by Panama at a World Cup.
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