FIFA announces new 2026 World Cup pricing tier
FIFA announced a new 2026 World Cup pricing tier after a wave of criticism from fans about affordability.
Mexico kicks off a massive year when it travels south to face Panama in a friendly on Thursday.
El Tri will serve as co-host of the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 as Javier Aguirre’s side faces South Africa in Mexico City.
Aguirre is under major pressure as the new year begins. Mexico ended 2025 by failing to win any of its six fall friendly matches (4D, 2L), a major letdown after winning the Gold Cup over the summer.
Watch Panama vs Mexico on Prime Video
With Thursday’s match taking place outside of a FIFA window, Aguirre won’t have any of his European-based options and has named a roster almost entirely comprised of Liga MX players.
Two of those are set to debut after making the switch from the United States, as Chivas duo Richy Ledezma and Brian Gutiérrez are both on the roster.
Panama is also preparing for the 2026 World Cup, having qualified from Concacaf. Los Canaleros were drawn into Group L with Ghana, Croatia and England.
Panama vs Mexico prediction, pick
This should be a close match with plenty of new faces and changes on both sides. Expect a disjointed affair with neither team coming out on top.
Prediction: Panama 1, Mexico 1
Panama vs Mexico channel, start time, streaming
- When: Thursday, January 22
- Where: Rommel Fernández Stadium (Panama City, Panama)
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: Univision, TUDN, ViX (Watch on Prime Video)
