India vs Panama: IND 1-0 PAN; Ryan Williams' late strike gives India half-time lead

India vs Panama Live: Panama showed fight against World Cup opponents

Panama's recent World Cup campaign provides India with an idea of the challenge awaiting them in Bengaluru. Panama were placed in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Ghana at the 2026 global showpiece. Although they failed to win any of their matches and eventually exited the tournament, they stretched the more established opponents in the group. Sandhu said Panama played good football at the World Cup despite the results not going their way. "The results didn't go in their favour. I think they played really good football. We want to do the same and to be a team which is difficult to play and also have great options, be it on the pitch, or in terms of people coming in from the bench," he said.

18:07 (IST) Sep 25

India vs Panama Live: Panama bring World Cup experience to Bengaluru

Panama arrive in Bengaluru with 14 players from their 2026 World Cup squad, underlining the experience India will face at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Overall, 22 of Panama's 24 players have experience of playing in foreign leagues, including Major League Soccer in the USA and leagues in Turkey, Mexico and Austria. Panama also played at the 2018 World Cup before returning to the global showpiece in 2026. Their squad includes Amir Murillo of Besiktas, Andres Andrade of LASK, Tomás Rodríguez of Barcelona SC Guayaquil and Jose Cordoba of Norwich City. India, ranked 138th compared to Panama's 44th position, will therefore be facing a team whose players have considerable experience playing outside their country.

18:06 (IST) Sep 25

India Football Live: Gurpreet wants India to learn from Panama

Veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu believes India can use the Panama match to understand what is required to become a World Cup-level team. Panama are ranked 44th in the world and have played at the 2018 and 2026 World Cups, while India are currently 138th in the FIFA rankings. "I think tomorrow can be a start. I think we can use tomorrow's game to see what it takes for a World Cup team to operate and Panama, obviously, played in the World Cup, and played really good in my opinion," said Sandhu on the eve of the match. He added that India want to become a team that is difficult to play against and have strong options on the pitch as well as from the bench. The match, therefore, is more than just another friendly for the Indian players.

18:04 (IST) Sep 25

Panama vs India Live: Jamil sees Panama clash as step forward

India head coach Khalid Jamil believes the friendly against Panama can provide his team with an important test against a side that has just returned from the World Cup. Panama are ranked 44th in the FIFA rankings, while India are 138th. Jamil said the game would give his players an opportunity to test themselves against a team with World Cup experience. "I think this is a good opportunity to play against a team who has just come from the World Cup. They played really good in the World Cup. They have good players and it is going to be a very good test for us," he said. India will face Brazil and Uruguay after the Panama match, making the Bengaluru game the first step in a difficult international window for the team.

18:02 (IST) Sep 25

India vs Panama Live: India face Panama in crucial Bengaluru test

India take on world No. 44 Panama in an international friendly at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The match is the first of three challenging contests for the Khalid Jamil-coached side during the international window. India, currently ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, will then face five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 and two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6 in Kolkata. Panama have already played at the 2018 and 2026 FIFA World Cups and come into the game with considerably more experience against top-level opposition. For India, the match offers an opportunity to test themselves against a side that recently competed at the global showpiece and to gain experience before facing Brazil and Uruguay.

India vs Panama Live Score: The upcoming fortnight starting with an international friendly against world No. 44 Panama in Bangaluru on Friday will offer Indian players a chance to gain valuable experience and find a new direction as a footballing nation.

The match against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium is a precursor to contests against more storied opponents in five-time world champions Brazil (October 3) and two-time title winners Uruguay (October 6) at Kolkata.

Panama, a tiny nation with 4.65 million population, have achieved some tall feats on the football field. Apart from qualifying for the 2018 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, they have also finished runners-up in the CONCACAF Nations League 2024-25.

In the 2026 global showpiece, they stretched superior rivals like England, Croatia and Ghana in Group L before making an exit.

In contrast, the India have been struggling to make a strong impression even at the Asian level, and have been plagued with domestic structure turmoil in recent times.

But if the Khalid Jamil coached side can produce a doughty show against undoubtedly superior opponents in the coming two weeks that can induce a fresh wave of confidence and optimism into the Indian ranks.

Playing against a more accomplished side, will help the players to widen their knowledge base.