2026-06-09
Opta: Ecuador's defensive steel could make them the surprise package
Analysts tip La Tri as a dark horse on the back of an elite defensive record
Group E · CONMEBOL · FIFA #23 · 81/1
Ecuador
1938A 19-match unbeaten run and the Caicedo-Pacho-Hincapié spine make Ecuador the tournament's trendiest dark horse in Group E with Germany, Ivory Coast and Curaçao.
Coach Sebastián Beccacece (Argentina) · since 2024
Matches
Key players
- Moisés CaicedoDM · Chelsea
Among the world's best midfielders; rested vs Guatemala as a precaution
- Willian PachoCB · PSG
Champions League-winning pillar of an elite defense
- Piero HincapiéCB · Arsenal
Top-class left-sided defender
- Pervis EstupiñánLB · AC Milan
Scored in the 3-0 Guatemala send-off
- Kendry PáezAM · Strasbourg
Teenage creative hope
- Enner ValenciaST · Pachuca
36-year-old captain and all-time great
Injuries / doubts
- Leonardo Campana (FW) — late preparation injury, misses the tournament
Recent form
| 2026-06-07 | Guatemala | 3-0 W | Friendly |
| 2026-05-30 | Saudi Arabia | 2-1 W | Friendly |
| 2026-03-31 | Netherlands | 1-1 D | Friendly |
| 2026-03-27 | Morocco | 1-1 D | Friendly |
| 2025-11-18 | New Zealand | 2-0 W | Friendly |
| 2025-11-13 | Canada | 0-0 D | Friendly |
News
2026-06-07
Unbeaten run reaches 19 with Guatemala win
Caicedo and Pacho rested as Beccacece protects key men before the Germany opener
2026-06-01
Beccacece names young but experienced squad
Campana out injured; Sarmiento and Arroyo cut by selection; Valencia captains at 36