Football in Panama


Football in Panama is run by the Federación Panameña de Fútbol. The association administers the national football team, as well as the LPF. Football is the second most popular sport in Panama, after baseball. Approximately 60% of the people in Panama are interested in football. Panama qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Domestic football

In 1988 professional football was established in Panama. Gary Stempel is considered an influential figure in improving Panama football.
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.

National team

In the 2010s, the Panama men's national team experienced its greatest success, finishing as runners-up in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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 FIFA [Women's World Cup qualification|2019], although their dream was cut short after losing to Argentina. Panama would then repeat the feat by reaching the 2023 FIFA Women's [World Cup qualification (inter-confederation play-offs)|play-offs] for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, again with the aim to qualify for their first Women's World Cup. They successfully achieved World Cup qualification for the first time following a win against Paraguay.

Stadiums in Panama

The Estadio Rommel Fernández, the national football stadium of Panama, is the largest stadium in the country.
StadiumMain useCapacityTenantsImage
Estadio Rommel FernándezAssociation football32,000Panama national football team, Tauro FC
Estadio Nacional de PanamáBaseball27,000Panama national baseball team

Attendances

The average attendance in the 2024 Clausura was 486. Average attendances of Panamese top-flight football league clubs in the 2024 Clausura: