How will Ecuador fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SteTudor123 as he looks at the South American side in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...
Ecuador History at the World Cup
International minnows at the time, Ecuador declined an invitation to the inaugural World Cup held in 1930, a decision they surely came to regret, not managing to qualify for the tournament until much later in 2002.
In Japan/South Korea, a decent side featuring, among others, Southampton’s Agustin Delgado and Aston Villa’s Ulises de la Cruz failed to progress from a tough grouping but in beating Croatia they at least made their mark.
Then, four years later La Tri showed the world what they were capable of, triumphing over Poland and Costa Rica to reach the last 16. A closely-contested game with England was ultimately settled by a David Beckham strike.
BREAKING: FIFA rejects the appeals from Chile and Peru to throw Ecuador out of the World Cup for fielding an ineligible player pic.twitter.com/b3YuMP0ynR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 16, 2022
There was a third outing on the global stage in 2014, while in the Copa America a couple of adventures to the quarter-finals was further proof that Ecuador are no longer international minnows.
Their World Cup odds are testament to that: outsiders granted but priced just south of Poland and Serbia.
On this occasion controversy has accompanied their build-up to Qatar when doubts emerged concerning the real nationality of full-back Byron Castillo.
Documentation allegedly exists that shows Castillo to be ineligible for Ecuador, and this has prompted Chile and other South American football federations to seek legal action to have Ecuador barred from participating.
Ecuador Nickname
Ecuador are nicknamed ‘La Tri’ which is simply a shortening of the more traditional ‘La Tricolors’ that denotes the three colours on their national flag.
The yellow is said to be a representation of the crops and soil, while the blue depicts the sky. The red band at the bottom is in tribute to those who lost their lives in historic wars.
World Cup 2022 Group
La Tri can count themselves extremely fortunate to be grouped with Qatar, who as tournament hosts were seeded in Pot 1 for the draw. The seven other alternatives were all global giants, from Brazil to France.
This means that only Holland are to be feared, with a dangerous but beatable Senegal taking the fourth spot in Group A.
Ecuador Fixtures:
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Ecuador vs Qatar - 20th November 2022
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Ecuador vs Netherlands - 25th November 2022
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Ecuador vs Senegal - 29th November 2022
Ecuador Kit World Cup 2022
Based in South America, Marathon Sports may not be an especially well-known kit manufacturer, but they have aced the home shirt, proudly yellow and simple in design with subtle detailing of blue and red on the cuffs.
😍 ¡18 millones representados en la piel de tu país!
— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) August 26, 2022
👕 @marathonsports_ pic.twitter.com/RqemT6c1PF
If the home kit is understated, they have gone to town on the away number, its geometric patterns inspired by the Incas.
🔥 𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐋 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gNiuIOYA0J
— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) August 26, 2022
Who Is The Ecuador Manager?
Not exactly known for cracking a smile, Gustavo Alfaro has a wealth of managerial experience at club level, with Quilmes, San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors on his C.V.
Stepping into the international arena for the first time in 2020, the Argentine has already achieved great success in guiding counter-attacking Ecuador to the finals.
Best Ecuador Player
Two of Ecuador’s roster will be familiar, with captain Enner Valencia having spent three seasons in the Premier League with West Ham while 20-year-old Moises Caicedo is currently impressing at Brighton.
It is the latter who is most likely to catch the eye, an industrious midfielder with a goal in him.
A match-winning performance against Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United on the opening day of 2022/23 highlighted what he’s all about.
🚨 Chelsea are monitoring the situation of Brighton's 20-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo.
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) October 4, 2022
🇪🇨 🟦 #CFC 🟦 #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/1enmkxiIyG
Ecuador Odds at World Cup 2022
It is very likely that Holland progress from Group A and it is just as probable that Qatar do not.
That leaves a straight shoot-out between Ecuador and Senegal for the second qualifying position and La Tri should not be under-estimated in this duel. They are a team greater than the sum of their parts and that matters in tournament football.
The football betting has them at 1/1 to beat Qatar in their opening fixture and that’s certainly worth considering.
Bet on Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!
