Ecuador’s triumphant return to the World Cup was met with chaos almost as soon as it was made official. Chile, which finished qualifying seven points behind the final guaranteed spot in Qatar, filed multiple legal challenges over La Tri’s spot in the tournament, claiming player Byron Castillo was not eligible to play for the national team. The legal claims (and their subsequent appeals) were shut down and denied. Ecuador will be returning to the World Cup after missing out in 2018, and rightfully so (Castillo, however, was omitted from its 26-man roster for Qatar).
La Tri’s results in qualifying were that of a team capable of grinding out a result against any of the world’s top sides. They picked up wins against Uruguay, Colombia and Chile, as well as draws against Argentina and Brazil, while finishing with 27 goals—only Brazil scored more. But the results since have been a little more troubling. Gustavo Alfaro’s side has scored just one open-play goal in five friendlies over the last six months. A dull attack won’t trouble groupmates Senegal or the Netherlands, who have more than enough attacking talent to pressure what’s been a stout Ecuadorian defense. If Ecuador wants to play spoiler to the hosts and potentially unseat one of Group A’s top two teams, that trend will have to change. The growing talent on this team means it’s more than capable of doing so.
Group A Schedule (all times Eastern)
- Qatar, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.
- Netherlands, Nov. 25, 11 a.m.
- Senegal, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.
Coach
Gustavo Alfaro, hired in August 2020
ANP/Imago Images
Players to Watch
Enner Valencia, forward
The 33-year-old is past his prime, but at the club level, Valencia is scoring goals at a higher rate than ever before. Ecuador’s all-time leading goalscorer has tallied a Turkish Süper Lig-leading 13 in 12 matches for first-place Fenerbahçe. Alongside Michael Estrada, Valencia will need to be at his best to turn around his side’s goalscoring fortunes.
Pervis Estupiñán, left back
One of the most consistent players over the last two years for his nation recently made a move to Premier League side Brighton, and as he navigates the club’s recent managerial change, Estupiñán is among several Ecuadorian players getting real minutes in Europe’s top leagues leading up to Qatar.
Gonzalo Plata, winger
A direct player with plenty of pace, the 22-year-old featured heavily off the bench in qualifying and scored three times. While he’s still growing as a player, Plata could cause problems for less speedy defenders, particularly on the break.
Andres Pina/Photosport/Imago Images
Breakout Candidate
Moisés Caicedo, midfielder
Caidedo is finally getting his chance in the Brighton midfield, and he’s making the most of it. Alongside Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister, the 21-year-old has been extremely solid providing cover in front of a structured Brighton defense. New manager Roberto De Zerbi went so far as to say the young Ecuadorian could become “one of the best midfielders … in Europe.”
While he’s been praised primarily for his defensive skills—both on the ball and off—Caicedo has added even more going forward for Ecuador: He scored twice and led the team with four assists in qualifying. If La Tri makes a surprise run to the knockout stage, it will be because the do-it-all midfielder was productive on both ends of the pitch.
World Cup History
- Fourth appearance
- Last appearance: 2014 (Group stage)
- Best finish: Round of 16 in 2006
Outlook and Expectations
Make no mistake: While Ecuador is not a regular contender or participant, it won’t just be happy to be here. Yet it will be an uphill battle to reach the knockout stage. The tournament opener against Qatar in the host nation’s first World Cup match ever will be crucial. A win there could mean the third match against Senegal will be for that coveted second place in the knockout stage.
The noise around Chile’s challenge for the spot in Qatar will (hopefully) have died down by kickoff at Al Bayt Stadium. The question will be whether the sputtering attack can produce enough to pressure the group’s top two teams. If Valencia or Plata can find their form, Ecuador could be a very tough out in one of the tournament’s most wide-open groups.
World Cup Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Alexander Domínguez (LDU Quito), Hernán Galíndez (Aucas), Moisés Ramirez (Independiente del Valle)
DEFENDERS: Robert Arboleda (São Paulo FC), Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders), Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton), Piero Hincapié (Bayer Leverkusen), William Pacho (Antwerp), Diego Palacios (LAFC), Jackson Porozo (Troyes), Ángelo Preciado (Genk), Félix Torres (Santos Laguna)
MIDFIELDERS: Moisés Caicedo (Brighton), José Cifuentes (LAFC), Alan Franco (Talleres), Carlos Gruezo (Augsburg), Romario Ibarra (Pachuca), Ángel Mena (Leon), Jhegson Méndez (LAFC), Gonzalo Plata (Real Valladolid), Ayrton Preciado (Santos Laguna), Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton)
