Panama coach discusses the absence of Botafogo striker at a press conference

Panama announced the list of 26 players called up to compete in the 2026 World Cup this Tuesday (26). Among the athletes who were left out, the absence of Kadir Barría, Botafogo striker, sparked a discussion between coach Thomas Christiansen and the journalists present at the call-up press conference.

"I'm only allowed to take 26, if I include Kadir, tell me one that I have to take. In the sporting aspect, I don't have to discuss anything, because I believe that we all did our analyses, we all seek the good of Panamanian football, of its national team. It's not about one player, it's not about circumstances, it's about trying to take what you believe is best for the performance of this team", said the coach.

"Only allow me to take the 26th, if I get to Kadir, say one thing I have to take away... in the sport I don't have to discuss anything, because I believe that we all have our analysis, we all seek the best of Panamanian football, of its selection, and it's not for a player, it's not for... pic.twitter.com/WoDezRYbDv

- Telemetro Reporta (@TReporta) May 26, 2026

Kadir arrived at Glorioso last year, to join the Rio club's under-20 team. After standing out in the youth categories, the young striker began training with the professional and debuted in September, against Grêmio.

Then, Kadir Barría found the net twice in the match against Sport, valid for the 34th round of the 2025 Brasileirão. His performance caught the attention of Panama, who called him up for the first time in January of this year, where he scored in the friendly against Bolivia.

However, the 18-year-old center forward was passed over for Thomas Christiansen and will not play in his first World Cup. The attackers taken by the Danish were Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman, José Fajardo and Tomás Rodríguez.

Panama's squad for the 2026 World Cup

- Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera, Luis Mejía and César Samudio;
- Defenders: César Blackman, Jorge Gutiérrez, Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Andrés Andrade, Edgardo Fariña, José Córdoba, Eric Davis, Jiovany Ramos and Roderick Miller;
- Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martínez, José Luis Rodríguez, César Yanis, Yoel Bárcenas, Alberto Quintero and Azarías Londoño;
- Forwards: Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman, José Fajardo and Tomás Rodríguez.

England coach justifies controversial World Cup squad list

Source: CNN