Ex-Leeds United manager achieves 'against all odds' World Cup dream to join Jesse Marsch and Marcelo Bielsa
Three former Leeds United managers will be heading to next year’s World Cup across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Former Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen was at the centre of some incredible scenes overnight after guiding Panama to just their second ever World Cup.
The Central American nation sealed top spot in qualifying Group A following a 3-0 win over El Salvador in Panama City, leapfrogging previous leaders Suriname at the final opportunity. Christiansen’s side looked set for second place after picking up six points in their first four games, but consecutive victories during the November break sparked wild celebrations.
Panama beat Guatemala 3-2 in their first game of the break but remained in second-place going into the final round of fixtures, with only goal difference separating them and leaders Suriname. But a 3-0 win over El Salvador, coupled with Suriname’s defeat against Guatemala, confirmed Christiansen and his men will be heading to the USA, Mexico and Canada next summer.
The result sparked amazing scenes in the Panamanian capital as fans and players celebrated their second World Cup qualification triumph together. Ex-Leeds boss Christiansen was visibly emotional and was eventually thrown up into the air by his joyous squad.
In an emotional post on Instagram, the official Panama FA wrote: “We’re going to the World Cup! Against all odds, with our hearts in our hands and our flag in our souls... we've qualified for our second World Cup!
“Today we shout, we cry, and we celebrate, because this isn't just a sporting achievement: it's a national dream, a pride that runs through every street, every home, every heart. This team fought, persevered, and believed… and today it takes us back to the top of the world. Let's go together, because our story is just beginning!”
Thomas Christiansen extends Leeds United’s World Cup links
Christiansen becomes the third former Leeds boss to qualify for next summer’s tournament with an international team. Jesse Marsch’s Canada were automatically qualified due to their co-host nation status alongside the USA and Mexico, while Marcelo Bielsa will be heading to his third World Cup, this time in charge of Uruguay.
It’s a milestone moment for the Danish manager, who spent just eight months in the Elland Road dugout during the 2017/18 campaign. He was sacked in February of that season and replaced for a short stint by Paul Heckingbottom, with Bielsa arriving the following summer.
There is a chance Christiansen’s Panama could come up against some current Leeds players who have also qualified for the tournament next summer. Like Marsch and Canada, Brenden Aaronson’s USA have automatically qualified while Ao Tanaka will be heading over the Atlantic with Japan.
Wales also have a chance of qualifying, having secured second place in their group after thrashing North Macedonia 7-1 on Tuesday. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Dan James will all hope to come through a round of play-offs during the March international break.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jaka Bijol and Ilia Gruev all missed out on World Cup qualifying with Sweden, Slovenia and Bulgaria respectively. Noah Okafor’s Switzerland have made it to the summer tournament but the winger was once again not involved.