Panamanian soccer legend Julio César Dely Valdés believes his country’s national team can be a breakout story at the 2026 World Cup. His title favorites are in Europe, but he also sees Colombia and Uruguay making a strong run. In an interview, the 59-year-old “Panagol,” whose nickname honors his more than 200 goals, said he even believes Panama can match Costa Rica’s feat at Brazil 2014, when the Ticos reached the quarterfinals.
But the former coach and winner of the now-defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996 with Paris Saint-Germain also fears that the war in the Middle East could lead to the cancellation of the World Cup.
Q: How do you see Panama heading into its second World Cup?
Answer: I have faith (…) that it will be a better World Cup than the one in Russia, and I dare say we will advance (past the group stage for the first time).
Q: Why are you so confident?
A: During qualifying, Panama kept improving (…). You can tell the players are convinced that they can have a better World Cup.
Q: Even with Tuchel’s England and Modric’s Croatia?
A: The group is extremely difficult, but the same thing happened to Costa Rica at the World Cup in Brazil, when it faced Uruguay, Italy and England in the first round. It seemed unthinkable that it could have the tournament it did. And I have the feeling Panama can emulate that. Not that it will necessarily finish first in the group, but at least qualify. At certain moments, it will go toe to toe with those three teams.
Q: What do you expect from the World Cup that Canada, the United States and Mexico will host?
A: I hope (…) that we have a champion that has never won it before.
Q: Who are your favorites?
A: Spain and Portugal. Spain is playing at a very high level, and I really like Portugal. I also consider France a contender.
Q: Who could be the surprise team?
A: Portugal. I watched the final it played against Spain in the most recent Nations League, and it pleasantly surprised me. Colombia can also have a great tournament. And, a little because of my heart, Uruguay. Valdés scored 105 goals for Nacional. Uruguay will improve as the tournament goes on, it has very good players and can compete.
Could the World Cup be suspended?
Q: How could the war in the Middle East affect things?
A: At times, the thought crosses my mind that the World Cup could be suspended (…). Hopefully it will be played, but hopefully all those conflicts can end first.
Q: Do you really think it could be suspended?
A: It is difficult for such an important event to be suspended, but I do not think it is far-fetched. With how everything is being handled, it is possible that unexpected things could happen closer to the event.
Messi, chosen by God
Q: What has changed in Panamanian soccer?
A: The federation had less support than it does now and fewer resources, so things were much more difficult, and there were not as many players abroad. In the Concacaf region, it is the national team that has grown the most.
Q: How do you see today’s soccer?
A: Soccer has already been fully invented. There were teams in the past that played like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Barça. The difference is that we did not live through that era.
Q: What is the best national team in history? And the best player?
A: I choose Brazil in 1970, which won the World Cup in Mexico with Pelé. Today we see things that Pelé, Cruyff, Maradona and Di Stéfano were already doing. But Messi has been like someone chosen by God. No one can compare to Messi, not even Cristiano Ronaldo.
