Ecuador World Cup 2026 Squad — Players, Manager & Group

Moises Caicedo — the engine who drives Ecuador forward

Moises Caicedo is the engine of this Ecuador team and one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. The Chelsea midfielder wins the ball, covers the ground and drives Ecuador forward with a relentless intensity that makes him invaluable. His form this season has been exceptional and he arrives at this World Cup in the best shape of his career.

Kendry Paez at 17 — the tournament's most exciting teenager

Kendry Paez at 17 years old is the most exciting teenager at this World Cup. The Chelsea youngster has already been playing for Ecuador's senior team for two years and shows technical quality and composure that belies his age completely. He could be the tournament's breakout star.

Piero Hincapie — one of the best young centre backs in Europe

Piero Hincapie of Arsenal has established himself as one of the best young centre backs in Europe. The 22-year-old brings defensive quality and composure on the ball that sets him apart from his team mates. Ecuador are built from the back and Hincapie is the cornerstone of their defensive structure.

Group E is brutal — Ecuador need to be at their very best

Group E is brutal. Germany are one of the tournament favourites. Ivory Coast are African champions with serious quality. Even Curacao despite being massive underdogs will make life difficult. Ecuador will need to be at their very best across all three games to qualify and a single off day could be fatal.

Enner Valencia at 33 — managing the transition from one era to the next

Enner Valencia at 33 is still in the squad as the experienced head leading the attack. He has been Ecuador's World Cup talisman for years — scored three goals in 2014 — but his best days are behind him. The challenge for Beccacece is managing the transition from Valencia's era to the Caicedo and Paez generation.

Ecuador want to stop making up the numbers at World Cups

Ecuador's World Cup story is one of quiet consistency. They qualified for 2002, 2006, 2014, 2022 and now 2026. Never the glamour side, never the favourite, always competitive. Beccacece wants to change that — he wants Ecuador to stop making up the numbers and actually go somewhere at a major tournament.

Who is in Ecuador's World Cup 2026 squad?

Full 26-man squad listed above including Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez.

Who is Ecuador's manager at World Cup 2026?

Sebastian Beccacece.

What group are Ecuador in at World Cup 2026?

Group E with Germany, Ivory Coast and Curacao.

When do Ecuador play their first World Cup game?

June 14 vs Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium, Dallas.

Who is Ecuador's captain at World Cup 2026?

Enner Valencia, the veteran striker.