Panama have included Norwich City defender Jose Cordoba in their 26-man squad for the 2025 World Cup, making him the only player from a British club in the Central American nation’s final selection. The 24-year-old centre-back, who moved to Carrow Road from Bulgarian side Levski Sofia in 2024, has been a mainstay for the Canaries this season, appearing 30 times in all competitions.
Cordoba’s selection is a landmark moment for both the player and Norwich City, a club that currently competes in England’s second tier. It also highlights the growing global reach of the EFL Championship as a proving ground for international talent. Panama’s head coach has placed faith in Cordoba’s defensive versatility and physical presence, attributes that should prove vital in a group containing some of the world’s most formidable attacks.
The full Panama squad blends experience and youth, with Cordoba joining a defensive unit that includes veterans like Fidel Escobar and Andres Andrade. In midfield, Anibal Godoy and Adalberto Carrasquilla offer craft and bite, while forwards Ismael Diaz and Cecilio Waterman will lead the line. Yet it is the Norwich man who stands out as the squad’s lone English-based representative, underlining his steady rise from the Bulgarian top flight to English football and now to the global stage.
This will be Panama’s second appearance at a World Cup. Their debut came in Russia 2018, where they were also drawn alongside England. That tournament ended in disappointment: three defeats, no points, and the joint-worst goal difference of any team. Four years on, the team will be determined to secure a historic first World Cup point—or better—when they kick off in North America.
Group L promises to be a stern test. Panama open against Croatia, face Ghana next, and then meet England on 27 June at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match against the Three Lions carries extra significance given their 2018 encounter, a 6-1 drubbing that remains Panama’s heaviest World Cup loss. Cordoba could be tasked with marshaling a defence that must contain an England side brimming with attacking talent.
For Norwich, Cordoba’s World Cup call-up is a source of pride but also a logistical twist. He will likely miss the early stages of pre-season, depending on how far Panama progress, which could affect head coach’s preparations for the upcoming Championship campaign. Nevertheless, the exposure and experience gained at a World Cup can only add to the 24-year-old’s value, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
Cordoba’s journey from the Bulgarian league to World Cup participant in under two years speaks to his resilience and adaptability. Signed by Norwich with an eye on building a project, he has repaid that faith with consistent performances that have now caught the eye of Panama’s national team staff. International football will test his game in new ways, particularly against the technical midfielders of Croatia and the pace of Ghana and England, but those close to the player believe he is ready to seize the moment.
The World Cup is also a platform for Panama to show how far their football has come. After 2018’s sobering experience, the federation has invested in youth development and sought to place players in competitive leagues abroad. Cordoba’s presence in England—along with others based in MLS, South America, and Europe—reflects that strategy. A respectable showing in Group L would go a long way toward cementing Panama’s credentials on the world stage.
Fans in the UK will be able to follow every match of Panama’s campaign, including the clash with England, live on the BBC. Full squad announcements and World Cup guides are available on the BBC Sport website, offering in-depth coverage of all 32 teams and their paths to the tournament.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, all eyes will be on Cordoba and his teammates as they aim to rewrite Panama’s World Cup story. For the Norwich defender, it is a chance to shine on the biggest stage of all and bring pride to his club, his country, and himself.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
