ECUADOR

Ecuador is a five-time World Cup participant with a best result of the 2006 round of 16. At the 2026 World Cup, Ecuador plays in Group E against Germany, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece, an Argentinian (since August 2024) and a former Sampaoli assistant in Chile. The leaders: Enner Valencia (Internacional), Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), Piero Hincapié, Kendry Páez.

In 2006 in Germany, Ecuador sensationally advanced from the group — beating Poland 2:0 and Costa Rica 3:0, then a respectable 0:3 defeat to Germany. In the round of 16, the team played evenly with England before losing 0:1 to Beckham's free kick. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Ecuador again played a "one-game-to-go" group but didn't advance on goal difference. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ecuador opened with a 2:0 win over hosts Qatar (Valencia brace), but in the third match needed a draw with Senegal — a 1:2 defeat.

Qualifying had drama with a points deduction. Ecuador finished second in the South American group but received a 3-point deduction from FIFA over the irregular citizenship paperwork of Byron Castillo. After the penalty: third place. Beccacece built the team on a 17-match unbeaten run with 13 clean sheets. In Group E the main rival is Germany (June 20 in Toronto). Matches are in Philadelphia (the opener on June 14 against Ivory Coast), Toronto, and Philadelphia. The Caicedo-Páez generation may be the team's best ever.

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