Panama Women: 13-year-old Sheyla Diaz named in World Cup qualifying squad

5 October 2018

Panama Women's Sheyla Diaz — Image caption,
Sheyla Diaz, left, was born in August 2005

Most teenagers will be preparing for exams next summer, not a World Cup.

So, imagine being a 13-year-old and getting a phone call to say you have made the national football team.

Sheyla Diaz - who only became a teenager in August - is a remarkable exception to her generation's norm.

Diaz's dream became a reality after making the matchday squad, external for Panama's opening game in the CONCACAF Women's Championship, a qualifying tournament for next year's Women's World Cup in France.

The teenager was named on the bench for the side's 3-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite not coming on, Diaz could make her debut this weekend - against none other than current world champions USA.

A picture of the Panama line-up for their game against Trinidad and Tobago, with Sheyla Diaz named amongst the substitutes

Panama Women Twitter

Diaz was named on the bench for Thursday's match against Trinidad and Tobago

Coach Victor Suarez named a 20-strong squad for the tournament, including seven millennials - two born in 2000, two in 2001, two in 2002 and Diaz in 2005.

The CONCACAF Women's Championship takes place in the United States from 4-17 October, with the top three teams qualifying for the World Cup and the fourth going into a play-off with Argentina.