| Boxwidth: | 250 |
| Football in Panama | |
| Union: | Federación Panameña de Fútbol |
| Country: | Panama |
| Sport: | association football |
| Nationalteam: | Men's national team |
| First: | 1862 |
| National List: | Liga Panameña de Fútbol |
| Intl List: | CONCACAF Champions Cup CONCACAF Central American Cup FIFA Club World Cup CONCACAF Gold Cup (National Team) CONCACAF Nations League (National Team) FIFA World Cup (National Team) CONCACAF Women's Championship (National Team) CONCACAF W Gold Cup (National Team) FIFA Women's World Cup (National Team) |
Football in Panama is run by the Federación Panameña de Fútbol. The association administers the national football team, as well as the LPF.[1] Football is the most popular sport in Panama.[2] Panama qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[3]
See main article: Liga Panameña de Fútbol.
In 1988 professional football was established in Panama.[4] Gary Stempel is considered an influential figure in improving Panama football.[5] [6] [7]
In 2017, a separate women's league, the Liga de Fútbol Femenino, was established, with the aim to improve women's football in the country.[8]
| Level | League(s)/Division(s) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | ||||||||||||
See main article: Panama national football team and Panama women's national football team.
In the 2010s, the Panama men's national team experienced its greatest success, finishing as runners-up in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup[1] and qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[9] [10]
Meanwhile, the Panama women's national team reached the qualifying play-offs for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in 2019, although their dream was cut short after losing to Argentina. Panama would then repeat the feat by reaching the play-offs for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, again with the aim to qualify for their first Women's World Cup.[11] They successfully achieved World Cup qualification for the first time following a win against Paraguay.
The Estadio Rommel Fernández, the national football stadium of Panama, is the largest stadium in the country.
| Stadium | Main use | Capacity | Tenants | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32,000 | Panama national football team, Tauro FC | |||
| 27,000 | Panama national baseball team | |||