Panama vs Croatia lineups are still expected rather than official before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match at Toronto Stadium. FIFA and ESPN had not listed confirmed starters during the latest pre-match check, so the final team sheets remain yet to be confirmed.
The expected starting XIs point to Panama staying compact and Croatia leaning on midfield control. The match kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, June 23, with both teams chasing their first points in the World Cup 2026 group stage.
Panama vs Croatia Lineups Status
| Item | Latest Update |
|---|---|
| Lineup status | Expected lineups only |
| Official team sheets | yet to be confirmed |
| Kickoff | 7:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM UTC |
| Venue | Toronto Stadium, BMO Field, Toronto |
| Referee | Pierre Atcho |
| Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L |
Panama Expected Lineup
Panama are expected to keep a back-three shape, with Orlando Mosquera behind Jose Cordoba and Jiovany Ramos. Amir Murillo and Andres Andrade should give width, while Yoel Barcenas and Jose Luis Rodriguez can support Cecilio Waterman in transition.
Adalberto Carrasquilla remains the key fitness question after missing the Ghana match with a groin issue. Since official starters are not confirmed yet, Panama’s final midfield balance should stay provisional until the team sheet arrives.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Orlando Mosquera |
| CB | Andres Andrade |
| CB | Jose Cordoba |
| CB | Jiovany Ramos |
| RWB | Amir Murillo |
| CM | Carlos Harvey |
| CM | Cristian Martinez |
| LWB | Cesar Blackman |
| RW | Yoel Barcenas |
| ST | Cecilio Waterman |
| LW | Jose Luis Rodriguez |
Expected formation: 3-4-3.
Substitutes: yet to be confirmed.
The expected Panama squad shape puts the main responsibility on Cordoba’s defending and Waterman’s ability to hold attacks together. Panama need a better final action after losing late to Ghana.
Croatia Expected Lineup
Croatia are expected to keep Dominik Livakovic in goal and use Gvardiol, Sutalo, and Luka Vuskovic across the defensive unit. Modric should remain central to the rhythm, with Martin Baturina and Petar Musa giving Croatia a direct scoring threat after both found the net against England.
Dalic may still adjust the midfield balance because Croatia looked open in their first match. Official starters are yet to be confirmed, so any late change around Kovacic, Pasalic, Sucic, or the wide roles should be checked again before kickoff.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Dominik Livakovic |
| CB | Josip Sutalo |
| CB | Luka Vuskovic |
| CB | Josko Gvardiol |
| RWB | Josip Stanisic |
| CM | Mario Pasalic |
| CM | Luka Modric |
| LWB | Ivan Perisic |
| AM | Martin Baturina |
| AM | Petar Sucic |
| ST | Petar Musa |
Expected formation: 3-4-2-1.
Substitutes: yet to be confirmed.
The expected Croatia squad setup gives Modric the job of controlling the centre while Baturina and Sucic connect with Musa. Gvardiol’s recovery defending may be just as important as his buildup quality.
Team News and Injury Report
Panama’s main watch point is Carrasquilla, who missed the Ghana defeat and was reported as returning only to partial training before the Croatia match. If he is not ready to start, Panama should again need Harvey and Martinez to carry the central workload.
Croatia have no confirmed suspension listed in the latest pre-match checks. The bigger question is tactical, because the loss to England exposed spaces behind the midfield and forced Croatia to protect their back line better.
| Player | Team | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adalberto Carrasquilla | Panama | Doubtful | Recent groin issue and partial training note |
| Orlando Mosquera | Panama | Expected to start | First-choice goalkeeper in current projections |
| Luka Modric | Croatia | Expected to start | Key midfield organiser |
| Petar Musa | Croatia | Expected to start | Scored against England |
Panama vs Croatia Key Tactical Battle
The main tactical battle is Panama’s compact defensive block against Croatia’s passing rhythm. If Modric can receive freely, Croatia can move the ball into Baturina, Sucic, and Musa before Panama’s back line is set.
Panama’s counter threat depends on the wing-backs and wide forwards making clean first runs. Croatia must defend transitions better than they did against England, because one early Panama goal would change the pressure completely.
| Role | Panama | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Build-up control | Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martinez | Luka Modric, Mario Pasalic |
| Wide pressure | Amir Murillo, Yoel Barcenas, Jose Luis Rodriguez | Josip Stanisic, Ivan Perisic |
| Penalty-box threat | Cecilio Waterman | Petar Musa, Martin Baturina |
Match Details
| Key Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT / 11:00 PM UTC |
| Venue | Toronto Stadium, BMO Field, Toronto |
| Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L |
| Live score | Panama vs Croatia live score |
| Live stream | Panama vs Croatia live stream |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Panama vs Croatia lineups confirmed?
No. The Panama vs Croatia lineups were still expected rather than official during the latest pre-match check. Final team sheets are normally released about one hour before kickoff.
What is the expected Panama starting 11 against Croatia?
Panama are expected to start Orlando Mosquera, Andres Andrade, Jose Cordoba, Jiovany Ramos, Amir Murillo, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martinez, Cesar Blackman, Yoel Barcenas, Cecilio Waterman, and Jose Luis Rodriguez.
What is the expected Croatia starting 11 against Panama?
Croatia are expected to start Dominik Livakovic, Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanisic, Mario Pasalic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, and Petar Musa.
Is Adalberto Carrasquilla starting for Panama?
Adalberto Carrasquilla is yet to be confirmed as a starter. He missed the Ghana match with a groin issue and was reported as only partly back in training before Croatia.
When will official Panama vs Croatia starting XIs come out?
Official Panama vs Croatia starting XIs should arrive about one hour before kickoff, once FIFA publishes the final team sheets.
Panama vs Croatia lineups remain provisional until FIFA confirms the final team sheets before kickoff.
Panama need enough running power to protect their back three, while Croatia need Modric and the attacking midfielders to control the game without exposing the defence.
Read Also: Panama vs Croatia Live Score — FIFA World Cup 2026
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