inside the yankees How José Caballero is bringing Panama’s World Cup spirit to the Yankees: ‘We take pride in that’ By Greg Joyce Published June 19, 2026, 6:20 a.m. ET José Caballero wears a Panama jersey in honor of the World Cup before the Yankees' game on June 17, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post When the World Cup schedule came out in December, José Caballero almost immediately cross-referenced it with the Yankees’ schedule.
The utilityman and diehard soccer enthusiast was disappointed to learn that his native Panama, playing in only its second-ever World Cup, was scheduled for three games in the group stage that each took place while the Yankees were playing.
There was Wednesday night, when the Yankees were hosting the White Sox and Panama was playing Ghana in Toronto. There is this coming Tuesday night, when the Yankees visit the Tigers in Detroit and Panama faces Croatia back in Toronto. And then next Saturday, Panama actually will be playing at MetLife Stadium, except the Yankees will be at Fenway Park to take on the Red Sox.
“I was kind of sad about that,” Caballero said.
