From the moment Roman Torres lit an inferno to lead his country to the World Cup, Panama have represented the competition’s most extreme danger.

Not to England, particularly, who should win comfortably tomorrow to avert the ignominy of what would be the greatest embarrassment in our nation’s sporting history.

But to those seeking to avoid the habitual tendency to patronise smaller nations, pouring praise with the underlying hint that – really – they are just pleased to be there.

In Panama’s case, no matter which angle is explored, there is an inescapable conclusion everything they achieve in Russia is a bonus. In Nizhny Novgorod, they can share England’s ambition over the course of 90 minutes, but the vast gulf in resources and infrastructure means Panama are yearning far more than three group points. 

Many of their squad are playing for a sustainable livelihood. They are playing for the financial security of their league, and to attract investment to improve facilities. They are playing to retain the hearts and minds of a population which, temporarily at least, has relegated the status of boxing and baseball below football. They are playing to establish a country’s identity.

Ramon Cordoze, the Vice-President of Panama’s Football Federation, accepts the compliments for his fledgling football nation’s feat reaching the World Cup, but feels it must be put into even greater perspective.

“People say this is the first time we have been to a World Cup but you must remember we have only been trying since 1978,” he says. “To get from where we were as a football nation to the World Cup in 40 years is not so long.

“This year the domestic league celebrated what is only its 30^th anniversary.

“When I started working for the federation in 1996 we had no pitches. There were no sponsors. Our league was not professional. Even now it is difficult to work with the clubs because there are not enough pitches, so it is complicated.

“The club where Roman Torres, the emblem of our football nation, played – Chepo – does not even exist now.

"Our main source of revenue remains sponsorship. We had to find support for young players and establish sides from U13s through to the senior team.

“All our players come from difficult backgrounds, from areas where people do not have a lot of money. But the majority of them now play in other countries and can earn a good life. The money they have earned from football has brought stability to their life.

“Life would be very difficult for them without football. The Panama league is not recognised by the leagues in South America or in Europe, so for a Panama player to succeed there must be sacrifices and they have made them to get to where they are today. A player will have to go to another of those countries to impress. Mainly Panama players have been exported – usually to Columbia but also Mexico and USA.

“The Panamanians are talented, they are enthusiastic and they have desire. They will work to get to the highest level, but it is our ambition to continue to develop our own clubs and league.

“We hope this qualification is the start for us but we need to work on our domestic league and help the players continue their professionalism so they are at the level needed to play in Europe.”

The more Cordoze explains the obstacles, and how little time and money his federation has had to overcome them, the more extraordinary Panama’s accomplishment. Yet it could have been done earlier.

“We were three minutes from reaching our ambition of a World Cup in Brazil in 2014. This time we managed it in the final three minutes of qualification,” he says, referencing Torres’ famed winner against Costa Rica in the CONCACAF qualifiers – relegating the United States to spectators this summer.

“That is a day that will be remembered in Panama history,” adds Cordoze, the Panama government’s former Minister of Sport.

“But this is not the first time these players have achieved something new for our country. In 2003 we qualified for the U20 World Cup. It was at a time when we were able to get more sponsors and that gave us an important base. Qualifying for that World Cup was a really important step. Since then we have been to five Under 20 World Cups and two Under 17 World Cups. Today we are able to support players from Under 13 through to the national team. That was impossible 20 years ago.

“A lot of the players who had this success are now part of this squad. They have grown together. There is a lot of loyalty to the players who have been committed to the national team for so long.

“Maybe some of them are older, but we also have young players introduced into the group – some from the World Cup of U20 in 2015. So we do have a mix because it is important to look to the future, also.

“Now I see players becoming more professional, their attitude much better. They are more competitive and want to be professional players. The economic status of the federation has also improved.

“Our national team now has an identity, that is the best change of all. We have become a positive symbol for the country. There was desperation in Panama for the World Cup kit – everyone was asking where and when they could get the shirt.

“There is a pride in that jersey that was not always there. It is because of this group of players the love for football in Panama has grown, particularly over the last five years.”

No national anthem is quickening the pulse of its players more, nor being received more emotionally.

One of those who contributed to qualifying but did not make the final squad, striker Roberto Nurse, testifies to the patriotic pull of a World Cup.

“Football has the power to make the feelings in a country better,” he said.

“People always ask us if there are some poor places in Panama. Yes, it is true, but many areas in central and South America have these problems.

“I believe everybody in a society comes together when they have pride in their national football team. The people, the police, politicians – everyone senses an improvement in personality and in their mind because they are all behind the same feeling. Football has this power. This is of such amazing importance.”

England, perceived as the wealthiest nation and home to so many pampered players, is naturally the most symbolic of all opponents to a third world football territory.

“Everyone knows England started football,” says Cordoze, who instantly replied ‘Harry Kane’ when asked which of Gareth Southgate’s team is most admired.

“Everyone knows they won the World Cup in 1966,” he said.

“We also know what Iceland achieved in the European Championships so hopefully we will have a moment like this.

“We know we will be facing a strong team in England, but we will face our rival with respect and enthusiasm. We know how difficult it will be but we will leave nothing on the field.

“We go there to compete. They will be the favourites. But we plan to enjoy the experience. England started the history of football. Panama is only at the start of its football history. This could be the beginning of something big for us.