Copa Airlines and the Panamanian Football Federation have launched a national contest inviting citizens to design the exterior of the airplane that will carry the National Team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dubbed “El Avión de la Sele,” the initiative aims to transform local creativity into a flying symbol of national pride following Panama’s qualification for the tournament. The contest opens on November 24 and will run through December 10.
This collaborative project seeks to channel the widespread excitement across the country into a unique artistic endeavor. The winning design will be applied to a Boeing aircraft in the Copa fleet, turning it into a mobile banner of support as the team travels to the global event.
A Canvas for National Passion
Officials from the airline, which serves as the team’s official carrier, emphasized the desire to make this a truly national project. They want the aircraft’s livery to be a creation born from Panamanian talent, reflecting the collective joy of the qualification achievement.
“Panama’s qualification for the World Cup has reignited the passion of an entire country and invites us to celebrate in a big way,” said Marco Ocando, Senior Director of Marketing and Loyalty Program at Copa Airlines. [Translated from Spanish] “As the official airline and proud sponsor of the National Team, we want the design of the aircraft image that will accompany this dream to be created by Panamanian talent.”
The contest portal, elaviondelasele.com, will serve as the official platform for submissions. Participation is open to all Panamanian citizens over the age of 18 who can submit an original design adhering to specific brand guidelines.
Contest Rules and Design Parameters
Prospective designers must follow a strict set of rules to ensure the final aircraft livery meets all regulatory and branding standards. The Copa Airlines logo must remain in its standard position on the fuselage. Similarly, the Panamanian Football Federation shield must be applied correctly according to its official guidelines.
Designers are restricted to using only an authorized color palette. The contest rules explicitly prohibit the incorporation of national symbols, including the Panamanian flag or the national coat of arms. Proposals cannot include any references to FIFA, the 2026 World Cup, or other commercial trademarks not associated with the organizing bodies. The use of faces, public figures, or personalities is also not permitted.
This careful control over the design elements ensures the final product maintains the professional identity of both sponsoring organizations while allowing for creative freedom within a defined framework.
Selection Process and Grand Prize
The evaluation of submissions will be a two-phase process designed to be both thorough and fair. An internal jury with members from both Copa Airlines and the football federation will first select five finalist designs from all the entries received.
In the second phase, a special panel will choose the single winning design. This panel will be composed of recognized Panamanian artists, creative professionals, and representatives from the two organizing entities. They will judge entries based on creativity, visual impact, and coherence with the identities of both the National Team and the airline.
The grand prize offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the winning designer. Their creative work will be unveiled on January 23, 2026, on Copa Airlines’ official Instagram account and other digital platforms. More significantly, the design will be applied to a Boeing aircraft that operates across the airline’s network of 85 destinations.
This turns the plane into a flying distinctive mark of Panamanian enthusiasm on its way to the World Cup. The winner will also receive a trip for two to one of Panama’s matches during the tournament. This grand prize includes airfare, hotel accommodation, meals, transportation, and tickets to the team’s first match.
The initiative represents a significant moment of national celebration and partnership between a leading copa airlines institution and the country’s football governing body. It provides a public platform for artistic expression tied directly to a historic sporting achievement. For the thousands of fans expected to travel, the specially designed aircraft will be their first tangible connection to the World Cup journey, a symbol of national pride soaring through the skies.