Panama found its World Cup sanctuary in small Ontario town of New Tecumseth

Fans greet the Panamanian players as they train at their World Cup base in New Tecumseth, Ont., on Thursday, June 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

NEW TECUMSETH, ONT. — Far from the FIFA World Cup hubbub that has gripped Toronto to the south, there is also plenty of soccer spirit to be found in a small town about a 90-minute drive from the Ontario capital.

A Panama team logo can be seen on a large Nottawasaga Resort roadway sign here in the small town of New Tecumseth, Ont., which the Central American side has selected for its training site during the tournament.

In stark contrast to the bustling urban area near Toronto Stadium, players have enjoyed the tranquil setting, fresh air and rural vibe in this quiet municipality of about 50,000.

“I’m a fan of nature, I think the surroundings are very beautiful,” Panama goalkeeper Cesar Samudio said via an interpreter, noting he enjoyed a recent walk by a nearby pond. “I think it’s good to be here.”

The community has embraced the squad as well. A few hundred area residents and supporters stood on the sidelines of the resort’s training pitch for a recent team workout.

Players on the 34th-ranked side performed drills, scrimmaged and chatted with fans on a warm spring afternoon.

“You don’t get to see this kind of stuff around here ever,” said local resident Rory Webster, who watched the session with his daughter. “So to see an international team come here with all the bells and whistles, it’s pretty cool to see.”

Panama is the only international team that is training in Canada, which is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico. Toronto is hosting six games, and Vancouver is home for seven.

“There’s plenty of privacy here to work well during the days we’ll be here, which is something that we were looking (for),” said Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen. “So it’s perfect.”

The Canadian team trained at Downsview Park near Toronto’s main airport last week before its opening matchup, a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. The national side then left for Vancouver, where it’s preparing to play Qatar on Thursday.

Panama, meanwhile, will open its group-play schedule on Wednesday night against Ghana.

“This is probably one of the bigger things that’s happened in this area,” Webster said. “It’s a World Cup, it’s one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. It’s really cool that there’s part of it that’s going on here.”

Like other training venues, World Cup signage was posted around the grounds and there was a distinct security presence, although it paled in comparison to the Canadian team’s workouts last week.

There was a relaxed celebration feel to the workout session as reggaeton music blared from the speakers.

Some spectators waved Panama flags while wide-eyed youngsters - many sporting team colours or minor-soccer uniforms - were wowed by the athletes’ slick techniques and ball control skills.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience because for me personally, I’ve never seen the players that close,” said Diego Vallarino, who grew up in Panama and lives in Toronto. “So it’s really important to be here.”

The resort has hosted domestic and international teams before, including the German side ahead of the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

“I am so thrilled,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross. “I just can’t believe it. We’re on the world stage, rightfully so. To be a part of this and see all the residents from New Tecumseth come out, I couldn’t be any prouder.”

Panama will play Croatia on June 23 at Toronto Stadium before closing out its Group L schedule at New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 27 against England.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press