Panama

Panama brings a proud Central American baseball tradition to the World Baseball Classic, drawing on a country that has produced a surprising number of impactful MLB players relative to its size. The national team plays with pride and energy, representing a nation where baseball is the clear top sport. Panama's rosters typically mix MLB veterans with standout domestic talent, giving the team credibility against bigger baseball nations. It's a program built on national pride and a history of beating the odds internationally.

Panama's national federation, FEDEBEIS, was founded on January 1, 1944, coinciding with the country's first national baseball championship. Panama has a rich baseball heritage, having produced Hall of Famer Rod Carew, one of the greatest pure hitters in MLB history, along with stars like Mariano Rivera, widely regarded as the greatest closer of all time. The national team has never won a World Baseball Classic title but has competed in every edition of the tournament since 2006. Panama's baseball legacy is defined less by team trophies and more by the outsized individual greatness it has sent to the major leagues.