It used to be boxing and baseball. Now, Panama’s sports fans have ‘unwavering passion’ for football

Panama has a rich and diverse sporting history, producing legends such as boxer Roberto Duran, NBA All-Star Rolando Blackman, Olympic long-jump gold medallist Irving Saladino in 2008, and legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera. However, as part of The Athletic's World Cup series covering all 48 nations competing at the 2026 tournament, the piece highlights how football has grown to dominate Panamanian sporting culture. Despite the country's historic strengths in boxing, basketball, athletics, and baseball, fans now display what is described as an 'unwavering passion' for football.