Panama’s Ismael Diaz sets sights on historic first World Cup win
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- Panama forward Ismael Diaz is focused on securing the nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup win during the 2026 tournament, viewing it as the ultimate goal for the squad.
- Despite being drawn in a challenging Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana, Diaz welcomes the opportunity to test Panama’s progress against the world’s elite teams.
- Reflecting on the lessons learned from their 2018 debut, Diaz emphasizes that the team has built the necessary mental fortitude and quality to remain competitive on the global stage.
Jakarta – Panama national team forward Ismael Diaz has set a firm target for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup: securing his country’s first-ever victory on football’s grandest stage.
The tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents a shot at redemption for the Central American nation. Speaking to the official FIFA website, Diaz emphasized that clinching a maiden win is the squad’s primary objective.
“(The first World Cup victory) is our greatest ambition right now,” Diaz stated in an interview monitored in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Panama’s journey in the World Cup has been a narrative of resilience. The team made its debut at the 2018 edition in Russia, where a then-17-year-old Diaz witnessed the harsh realities of elite competition. Panama exited in the group stage following successive defeats to Belgium, England, and Tunisia. After failing to qualify for the 2022 Qatar edition—finishing fifth in the CONCACAF qualifiers—the team is hungry to make an impact in 2026.
In the upcoming tournament, Panama faces a daunting task in Group L, where they are drawn against heavyweights England, Croatia, and Ghana. Despite the caliber of their opponents, Diaz remains undeterred.
“Everyone says it’s a difficult group, but I love it,” Diaz remarked. The 28-year-old striker, who currently plies his trade with Mexico’s Club Leon, expressed excitement rather than trepidation, noting that the World Cup is precisely where players should test themselves against the world’s elite. “I am happy with the group we are in,” he added.
For Diaz, donning the national colors is more than just a professional duty; it is the pinnacle of a footballer’s career. He vowed to give his maximum effort to ensure Panama remains competitive throughout the tournament.
“It means everything. If God permits, I will keep fighting as I always have, and I hope to wear this jersey for many more years,” he said, adding that his motivation stems from a desire to bring pride and joy to the Panamanian people.
Reflecting on the 2018 campaign, Diaz acknowledged that while the results in Russia were a significant blow, the experience was an invaluable learning curve. He believes the lessons learned from that debut have been instrumental in building the team’s mental fortitude and tactical quality ahead of the 2026 qualifiers and the finals themselves.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
