Panama coach Christiansen urges broad progress ahead of India friendly

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen and midfielder Carlos Harvey spoke at a press conference in Bengaluru on September 24, 2026, ahead of their FIFA international friendly against India at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Christiansen called for development across all areas of Panamanian football while Harvey encouraged Indian players to seek challenges abroad.

Panama, a small Central American nation, has appeared at two World Cups, in 2018 and 2026, and has recorded consistently strong results in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Those achievements have come despite football trailing baseball in popularity at home. From an Indian perspective, Panama’s rise into the top-50 of the FIFA world rankings was described at the press conference as a blueprint to follow.

“The most important thing is to progress and improve in all senses,” Christiansen said at the pre-match media session. “The league has to be better. The facilities have to be better. You must give the players the best conditions to improve, and get good coaches to show the players what they need.”

Christiansen also addressed India’s preparation, saying: “A good thing for India is that they are facing three World Cup teams. This will tell you where you stand, and the level you have to go to if you want to reach a World Cup,” Christiansen said in the pre-match press conference here on Thursday.

Panama midfielder Carlos Harvey, who plies his trade for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Minnesota United FC, offered direct advice to Indian footballers. “If you want to improve your level, try and play abroad and look for challenges,” Harvey said.

The comments came ahead of the FIFA international friendly between India and Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 24, 2026.