Panama

Panama under Thomas Christiansen are a very different side to the version that fell flat at Russia 2018, though they return seven players from that squad. Stylistically they are not unlike their predecessors, playing three/five at the back, defending compactly and threatening from set pieces; but there is a level of execution that has produced more consistent performances against regional opponents, and carried them to the finals of the Nations League and the Gold Cup.

The central trio of José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade and Fidel Escobar and the wing-back pair of César Blackman and Michael Amir Murillo should be preferred in defense, but there is uncertainty ahead of them as both Aníbal Godoy and Adalberto Carrasquilla have been dealing with injuries. This isn't exactly ideal, as the pair are arguably the side's two most important players; in their absence, Cristian Martínez and Carlos Harvey have been filling in. Up front, Cecilio Waterman will be flanked by Ismael Díaz and José Luis Rodríguez, but as Panama are not exactly a prolific goal-scoring side, expect to see healthy rotation in this group, including veterans Yoel Bárcenas and José Fajardo. If Los Canaleros falter in this respect, Christiansen may face even more criticism for his decision to exclude promising Botafogo youngster Kadir Barría from the squad.