Panama coach raves on about Toronto after FIFA World Cup stay

After spending more than two weeks in and around the Greater Toronto Area for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Panama's time in Canada has come to an end — for now.

Panama's national team will leave its training site in New Tecumseth, Ont., on Wednesday and head to New Jersey for its final Group L match against England.

Despite back-to-back 1-0 losses to Ghana and Croatia at Toronto Stadium, Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen had nothing but praise for the hospitality his team received from Canadians during their stay.

"I can only say that we've been treated very well here," Christiansen told reporters on Tuesday. "Not only by our hosts, but especially by the people here in Toronto."

#Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen after his side's two #FIFAWorldCup defeats at BMO Field:

"We have been very well treated here in Toronto ... At the end, we're all sad about the two results we got, but proud of the attitude of the players."https://t.co/rInV2iN6Ez pic.twitter.com/tn9w8yGUpi

— Waking the Red (@WakingtheRed) June 24, 2026

Panama has had the least demanding travel schedules of any team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing its first two group-stage matches at Toronto Stadium while training at the Nottawasaga Inn, 90 minutes north of the city, in New Tecumseth.

Toronto has become a familiar place to many Panamanian players. Over the past five years, the team has played more than half a dozen matches at BMO Field (Toronto Stadium).

"The logistics were very good for us to have two games at a stadium that we are familiar with," says Christiansen. "It feels like we are starting to know the city well. It's amazing."

Panama lost both FIFA World Cup Group L games at Toronto Stadium, 1-0. (John Sokolowski/Imagn Images)

Even though Panama is leaving Toronto without a point, Christiansen said he was proud of the way his team fought in the first two games.

The team will now head to New Jersey to take on England on June 27.