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The 2026 FIFA كأس العالم is on the horizon, with 48 teams preparing to battle for the ultimate prize.
Defending champions Argentina have already secured their spot in the tournament, while Ecuador surprisingly clinched early qualification from the CONMEBOL qualifiers section as well, beating traditional powerhouses like البرازيل and Uruguay to it.
La Tricolor boast a fairly balanced squad, led by Argentine manager Sebastian Beccacece. After crashing out in the group stage of the 2022 edition, Ecuador will be determined to go further this time and establish themselves as dark horses.
This will be only the fifth time the South American nation features in the World Cup, having made their debut in 2002.
Here is the possible squad that could travel to the USA as Ecuador look to make their mark in the biggest football tournament in the world.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is on the horizon, with 48 teams preparing to battle for the ultimate prize.
Defending champions Argentina have already secured their spot in the tournament, while Ecuador surprisingly clinched early qualification from the CONMEBOL qualifiers section as well, beating traditional powerhouses like Brazil and Uruguay to it.
La Tricolor boast a fairly balanced squad, led by Argentine manager Sebastian Beccacece. After crashing out in the group stage of the 2022 edition, Ecuador will be determined to go further this time and establish themselves as dark horses.
This will be only the fifth time the South American nation features in the World Cup, having made their debut in 2002.
Here is the possible squad that could travel to the USA as Ecuador look to make their mark in the biggest football tournament in the world.
Who starts between the sticks for Ecuador at the 2026 World Cup will be an interesting watch. The experienced Hernan Galindez has been Ecuador’s first-choice goalkeeper in most of their qualifying matches. However, considering his age and the impressive performances of Gonzalo Valle in recent qualifiers against strong sides like Brazil and Peru, Sebastian Beccacece faces a compelling decision.
Despite the competition, Galindez is expected to retain his position as the starting goalkeeper due to his experience with the national team, while Valle, who only recently made his debut, is likely to serve as a backup.
Moises Ramirez could also be a potential option, but he has only featured in six matches for Ecuador since making his debut in 2021.
Ramirez and Valle currently play in the Ecuadorian Serie A, while Galindez represents Huracan in the Primera Division in Argentina.
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When it comes to defensive duties, Ecuador have outclassed every other team in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
They have conceded just five goals, the fewest in the qualifiers and have kept an impressive twelve clean sheets in sixteen games so far.
The backline has consistently held its shape under Sebastian Beccacece, with high hopes of replicating that form at the 2026 World Cup.
Pervis Estupinan of Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League has formed a strong partnership at full-back with young Joel Ordonez, while Pier Hincapie and Willian Pacho have been outstanding at the heart of defense.
Ecuador will not be short of options at the World Cup, with the likes of Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, and Kevin Rodriguez also pushing for a place in the starting eleven.
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Alongside a solid defence, Ecuador are also well stacked in the midfield region with some of the top European stars playing for them.
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea is the current engine of the Ecuadorian midfield and has been majorly influential in Ecuador’s recent success in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers.
Apart from Caicedo there is the young Kendry Paez who only recently confirmed his move to Chelsea to join his national team mate. Despite his young age, Paez is a crucial cog in the midfield for Ecuador and will have a huge role to play at the World Cup in 2026.
Alan Franco of Atletico Minerio is also a regular in the Ecuador sarting XI and will be expected to start at the World Cup.
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Unlike the defense and midfield, the attacking department has been a bit of a concern for Beccacece’s side. Ecuador have managed just thirteen goals in the qualifiers, the fewest among teams apart from Peru and Chile, who sit at the bottom of the table.
While Ecuador’s solid defense has helped cover their attacking shortcomings, they will need to find goals if they are to perform well at the World Cup.
Veteran striker Enner Valencia remains Ecuador’s main man up front, with five goals in the qualifiers so far. However, apart from Valencia, none of the Ecuadorian forwards have truly stepped up.
Beccacece will have some important decisions to make when finalizing the squad for next year’s World Cup.
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Ecuador will have a number of star players at their disposal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their all-time leading goal scorer Enner Valencia will undoubtedly be the main threat in front of goal for the Ecuadorians, while Gonzalo Plata of Flamengo will also be an important asset on the wings.
In midfield, Chelsea signings Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez will have key roles to play. Caicedo will be crucial in maintaining a solid structure for Ecuador, while Paez, still in his teenage years, will serve as a more attacking threat.
Moving on, it is in defense where Ecuador are arguably at their strongest. Willian Pacho of PSG and Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen form an impenetrable center-back duo at the heart of the backline, while Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan and Club Brugge‘s Joel Ordonez add both defensive solidity and width in the wider areas.
In goal, veteran goalkeeper Hernan Galindez is expected to start for Ecuador at the World Cup, while Gonzalo Valle has also had opportunities of his own and could push for a place in the starting XI.
Ecuador have been consistently playing in a 4-4-2 formation, providing them with strong defensive solidity that has served them well in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. They are expected to stick with the same setup at the World Cup, with Pervis Estupinan, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, and Joel Ordonez forming the back four.
Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez will be key figures in the middle of the park, alongside Alan Franco and Nilson Angulo to complete the midfield quartet, while Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata are expected to lead the attacking duties.
Predicted Ecuador starting XIu0026nbsp;(4-4-2): Galindez; Estupinian, Pacho, Hincapie, Ordonez; Caicedo, Paez, Angulo, Franco; Valencia, Plata
