Panama's open training footage goes viral ahead of England World Cup game

Footage of one of Panama’s training sessions ahead of the World Cup has gone viral, and it’s got fans talking.

The North American nation will take part in just their second-ever World Cup this summer, with the side set to take on Croatia, Ghana and England in Group L.

Of course, in 2018, Panama also faced England, with the Three Lions coming out 6-1 winners courtesy of a John Stones brace, a Harry Kane hat-trick and a Jesse Lingard strike.

Panama took part in a pre-tournament friendly against the Dominican Republic in the nation’s capital, Panama City, on Thursday (June 4), with the home side running out 4-2 winners.

And despite winning the match comfortably, it’s fair to say some fans don’t have high hopes for their prospects at the upcoming tournament after clips of the team’s training session have gone viral on social media.

During the footage, several players misplace simple passes, miss chances, struggle to control the ball and generally don’t look like top-level footballers ready to take on the best international teams on the planet.

After watching the footage, one fan said: “What’s the first shot? I’ve seen enough. How is this expanded World Cup possibly a good idea? It is pathetic.”

Another added: “That training session looks like organised chaos. Panama really said, ‘Come watch us cook… or burn’ before the World Cup.”

A third claimed: “Harry Kane will run through them like a freight train.”

While a fourth commented: “Money-grabbing FIFA will kill the excitement with so many teams now involved. So many average teams.”

Another shared a different view: “They’re living their dream. World Cup finals. Lots of players never get to play at this level. I say good luck to them.”

Panama came through a challenging qualifying campaign, with Los Canaleros winning Group A of the third round of CONCACAF qualifying.

In their last match during qualification, Panama beat El Salvador 3-0 to secure just their second appearance at the World Cup. The team will be hoping to register their first win this time around, having lost all three of their matches – against England, Belgium and Tunisia – in 2018.

The squad is made up mostly of little-known players, although some ply their trade in Europe, with defender Edgardo Farina currently at Championship side Norwich City, while Amir Murillo plays his club football for Turkish giants Beşiktaş.

Panama World Cup squad

Luis Mejía — Nacional

César Samudio — Marathón

Orlando Mosquera — Al-Fayha

César Blackman — Slovan Bratislava

José Córdoba — Norwich City

Edgardo Fariña — FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod

Roderick Miller — Turan Tovuz

Fidel Escobar — Saprissa

Jiovany Ramos — Puerto Cabello

Eric Davis — Plaza Amador

Andrés Andrade — LASK

Jorge Gutiérrez — Deportivo La Guaira

Amir Murillo — Beşiktaş

Cristian Martínez — Ironi Kiryat Shmona

José Luis Rodríguez — Juárez

Adalberto Carrasquilla — UNAM

Yoel Bárcenas — Mazatlán

Carlos Harvey — Minnesota United

Aníbal Godoy — San Diego

César Yanis — Cobresal

Azarías Londoño — Universidad Católica de Chile

Alberto Quintero — CD Plaza Amador

Tomás Rodríguez — Deportivo Saprissa

Ismael Díaz — León

José Fajardo — Universidad Católica

Cecilio Waterman — Universidad de Concepción