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Copa Airlines and Panama’s national soccer team set off on their first-ever flight to the world cup in Russia
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The members of Panama’s national soccer team received a fitting send-off at Tocumen International Airport before setting off on their unforgettable trip to the World Cup in Russia
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Copa Airlines presented the players with a soccer ball that had traveled around the entire country, as a token of Panamanians’ staunch support for the team in every match of the tournament
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As one of the Panamanian Soccer Federation’s longest-standing sponsors, Copa Airlines has supported Panama’s national soccer team for more than 14 years
Panama City, June 1, 2018
Today, Panama’s national soccer team—still brimming with the excitement of the goal scored by Román Torres to win the qualifying match—set off for Russia to play in the first World Cup in the team’s history. Copa Airlines and the Panamanian Soccer Federation (FEPAFUT) joined forces to give a fitting send-off to the team that defied predictions, vanquished the ghosts of qualifying rounds past, and showed that dreams really do come true.
Last Tuesday, fans had one last chance to see the players before their departure, during a friendly match against Northern Ireland at Rommel Fernández stadium. The stadium will be forever known throughout Panama as the place where the team achieved soccer glory and brought an entire country together to cheer for every goal they score. Today, at Tocumen International Airport, Copa Airlines and FEPAFUT saw the team off with a touching tribute, letting the players and coaching staff know that the whole country is behind them as they set off on this trip.
“Our team is embarking on a historic journey for Panama,” said José Montero, Copa Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer. “Today, we couldn’t be prouder to do our part by flying these players to the World Cup—a dream come true for all of us. This airplane will be carrying not just these players, but also the hopes and hearts of four million Panamanians. We are confident that our flag will be flying high at this World Cup.”
The Panamanian team, which is also known as the “Red Tide,” departed for New York at 3:10 p.m., on board an airplane emblazoned with the team’s colors and shield. The airplane, a Boeing 737-800, was honored with a water salute before the flight. The plane was first introduced by Copa Airlines in 2015 with the fervent hope that it would mark the start of the Panamanian soccer team’s glorious trip to the World Cup in Russia. That hope is now a reality.
Eduardo Vaccaro, FEPAFUT’s General Secretary, commented, “Going to the World Cup for the first time is a one-of-a-kind thrill and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So this trip is cause for celebration—not just for us, but also for four million Panamanians who are proud of their team as it plays in the World Cup for the first time. Today, as we embark on this Copa Airlines flight, we are filled with hope, confidence, and, above all, boundless enthusiasm as we face the great challenge of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.”
During the ceremony, Copa Airlines presented the team with a soccer ball that had traveled around the entire country, as a token of all Panamanians’ staunch support for the team. The players can count on fans to root for them during every match of the World Cup, where Panama will go up against Belgium, England, and Tunisia in Group G.
An anthology version of the rousing song “Sube la Marea”—meaning “The Tide is Rising”—was also played for the team. The song, which was created by Copa Airlines and some of Panama’s leading recording artists, cheers the team on and also honors its history. The video recalls the players who represented Panama in the past, and who took the first steps on the team’s road to glory.
Fourteen years ago, Copa Airlines committed to Panama’s national soccer team, at a time when the thought of hearing the strains of Panama’s national anthem during the World Cup seemed like a distant dream. Copa Airlines became a steadfast supporter, flying the “Red Tide” to its matches during World Cup qualifying rounds. Today, we come together as a country, with our heads held high and our flag proudly waving, to send off these 23 players. They are true champions, who have shown that with teamwork and commitment, no dream is out of reach.
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