Panama vs Guatemala: Start time, TV and streaming details as World Cup qualifier ends 1-1

Match recap and context

Two goals in two minutes told the story in Panama City. Panama vs Guatemala finished 1-1 in a World Cup Qualification CONCACAF 3rd Round Group A clash at Estadio Rommel Fernández, a result that keeps both sides alive in the push toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Guatemala struck first. In the 35th minute, Óscar Santis found the breakthrough, putting the visitors ahead and briefly stunning the home crowd. Panama did not let the setback linger. Just two minutes later, Carlos Harvey leveled the match in the 37th, restoring control and energy inside a stadium that has seen its share of high-stakes nights.

The draw fits the mood of a tight group, where margins look thin and every point matters. With the U.S., Mexico, and Canada already qualified as hosts, the rest of CONCACAF is battling for the remaining berths and playoff routes. This third-round format is built to test depth and consistency across the international windows, and both Panama and Guatemala showed enough resilience to keep the door open heading into the fall fixtures.

The game never quite broke into a shootout. Panama carried more of the ball after halftime, pushing through wide channels and trying to find late runs from midfield. Guatemala stayed compact, protected the edge of the box, and searched for counters when Panama overcommitted. The tactical trade-off produced half-chances rather than clear looks, and the final stretch felt like a stalemate both coaches could live with given the stakes.

Conditions were kind for a high-tempo qualifier—about 76°F at kickoff with a light north-northwest breeze around 3 mph. The pitch ran true, helping both sides build from the back when the press eased. That shaped a match defined less by chaos and more by control, with each team cautious about the single mistake that could tilt the group picture.

For Panama, Harvey’s equalizer reinforced the value of midfielders arriving late into dangerous spots. For Guatemala, Santis’s opener backed up a selection that favored mobility between the lines and quick combination play. Neither coach got the three points, but both left with validation: a plan that works and a squad that can execute under pressure.

What does 1-1 mean in practical terms? It’s a point that keeps momentum intact. In the final round, you don’t win your ticket on a single night—you avoid losing it. Home points are precious, away points even more so, and this split leaves the group tight enough that October’s window will carry real weight.

U.S. viewing guide: TV, streaming, start time, location

• Start time (U.S.): Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 9:30 PM ET (kickoff 01:30 UTC on Sept. 9)
• Location: Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez, Panama City, Panama
• TV/Streaming (U.S.): Recent CONCACAF World Cup qualifying windows have aired across a mix of Spanish-language outlets (including Univision/TUDN and ViX) and English-language streaming platforms with CONCACAF rights. Exact carriers can vary by nation and window, so checking same-day listings on your provider remains key.
• Replays and highlights: Short-form highlights are typically posted by official federation and CONCACAF digital channels shortly after full-time.

Why focus on the timings and platforms now that the match is over? Because the qualifying calendar moves fast. If you followed this one, the next window is around the corner, and the same basics will apply: evening kickoffs for U.S. audiences, heavy Spanish-language coverage, and English options concentrated on streaming. Bookmark your go-to service and keep an eye out for week-of updates once fixtures are confirmed.

As for what’s next on the field, both teams will turn to the October international window. The group remains tight, and the math is simple: protect your home, steal what you can away, and keep goal difference tidy. Panama’s experienced core and Guatemala’s growing confidence suggest more close games ahead—exactly what this final round tends to deliver.