Panama
TEAM ANALYSIS: For the first time in their nation’s history, Panama earned a ticket to the World Cup. This team is driven, but they don’t exactly have the talent to make a run. They also come with some injury concerns. Alberto Quintero is out indefinitely after suffering a fracture to the second metatarsal in his right foot. It’s hard to see him taking the field at any point in Russia. Roman Torres also just missed 5 weeks with a right hamstring strain that will come with some lingering effects, and it has lead to a High Injury Risk for him. It’s also worth noting that star player Armando Cooper suffered a head injury against Belgium, but returned to the match after being evaluated on the sidelines. He could be playing through a concussion. With a tough draw and concerns over the team’s health, Panama are a long-shot to advance past the Group Stage.
OVERALL INJURY RISK: ELEVATED
Jaime Penedo G, Dinamo Bukarest
- Lesion in the right thigh (August 2017, missed 2 weeks)
Román Torres D, Seattle Sounders
- Right hamstring muscle injury (April 2018, missed 5 weeks)
- Hamstring injury (May 2017, missed 3 weeks)
- Left hamstring strain (April 2017, missed 2.5 weeks)
- Torn left ACL (September 2015, missed 49 weeks)
Felipe Baloy D, CSD Municipal
- Muscle tear right thigh (May 2017, missed 5 weeks)
- Cruciate ligament rupture in right knee (June 2014, missed 31 weeks)
Michael Amir Murillo D, NY Redbulls
- Partial MCL tear in right knee (May 2015, missed 3 weeks)
Fidel Escobar D, NY Redbulls
- Adductor injury right thigh (March 2018, missed 2.5 weeks)
Éric Davis D, Dunajska Streda
- Quad injury (November 2016, missed 2 weeks)
Gabriel Gómez M, Bucaramanga
- Right hamstring contusion (April 2018, missed 1 week)
- Right MCL distension (October 2017, missed 3 weeks)
- Minor wound (July 2015, missed 1 week)
Armando Cooper M, Universidad de Chile – QUESTIONABLE
- Head injury/concussion (June 2018, Game 1 against Belgium)
Alberto Quintero M, Universitario – DOUBTFUL
- Fractured second metatarsal in right foot (June 2018, out indefinitely)
- Right thigh tear (January 2018, missed 4 weeks)
- Right thigh strain (October 2017, missed 1 week)
Aníbal Godoy M, San Jose Earthquakes
- Left knee injury (August 2017, missed 2 weeks)
- Hip injury (May 2017, missed 1 week)
- Left hamstring injury (August 2016, missed 3.5 weeks)
- Grade 1 sprain left knee (March 2016, missed 3 weeks)
Gabriel Torres F, Huachipato
- Non-displaced fracture of the third metacarpal right hand (July 2017, missed 1 week)
- Unknown Injury (February 2017, missed 1 week)
- Unknown Injury (August 2016, missed 1.5 week)
Abdiel Arroyo F, LD Alajuelense
- Right knee external meniscus operation (November 2017, missed 8 weeks)
Blas Pérez F, CSD Municipal
- Left thigh injury (March 2017, missed 1 week)
- Muscle Injury (July 2016, missed 1.5 weeks)
Luis Tejada F, Sport Boys
- Acute right hamstring tendinopathy (March 2018, missed 2 weeks)
- Left thigh tear (July 2017, missed 2 weeks)
Group A – Russia / Saudi Arabia / Egypt / Uruguay
Group B – Portugal / Spain / Morocco / Iran
Group C – France / Australia / Peru / Denmark
Group D – Argentina / Iceland / Croatia / Nigeria
Group E – Brazil / Switzerland / Costa Rica / Serbia
Group F – Germany / Mexico / Sweden / South Korea
Group G – Belgium / Panama / Tunisia / England
Group H – Poland / Senegal / Colombia / Japan