Ecuador will have the honor of serving as the opening buffet at the World Cup, after a ceremony that promises to be grandiose at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor.
First opponents of Qatar, the Ecuadorians would be well advised to spoil the party to put themselves in the best position within a group of which they are not the favorites of the forecasts.
The story
Ecuador very nearly did not play this World Cup, the fault of a funny imbroglio about the eligibility of Byron Castillo (ultimately not retained for the final phase), Chile having lodged a complaint concerning "the possible falsification of documents granting Ecuadorian nationality” to the player.
Team form
Argentinian Gustavo Alfaro's Tri – aside from the question of Byron Castillo's eligibility, which they had to prove before several sports courts – qualified for this World Cup after an absolutely epic campaign.
Where Ecuador will have surprised South America by finishing ahead of Peru, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela.
The Ecuadorians will have a new opportunity to write a unique page for their debut against Qatar, since never has a host country lost in the first game of its World Cup.
After missing Russia in 2018, Ecuador will have to live up to the challenge to start their pool.
The list of selected players
Goalkeepers:
Moises Ramirez (Independiente del Valle), Alexander Dominguez (Liga de Quito), Hernan Galindez (Aucas).
Defenders:
Piero Hincapié (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Robert Arboleda (Sao Paulo/BRA), Pervis Estupiñan (Brighton/ENG), Angelo Preciado (Genk/BEL), Jackson Porozo (Troyes/FRA), Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders/ USA), Diego Palacios (Los Angeles FC/USA), Felix Torres (Santos Laguna/MEX), William Pacho (Antwerp/BEL).
Midfielders:
Carlos Gruezo (Augsburg/GER), Jose Cifuentes (Los Angeles FC/USA), Alan Franco (Talleres/ARG), Moises Caicedo (Brighton/ENG), Angel Mena (Leon/MEX), Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton/ENG ), Jhegson Mendez (Los Angeles FC / USA), Ayrton Preciado (Santos Laguna / MEX), Gonzalo Plata (Valladolid / ESP), Romario Ibarra (Pachuca / MEX).
Attackers
: Djorkaeff Reasco (Newell's Old Boys / ARG), Kevin Rodriguez (Imbabura), Michael Estrada (Cruz Azul / MEX), Enner Valencia (Fenerbahçe / TUR).
The probable composition
Ecuador World Cup
Rejuvenated by Gustavo Alfaro, Ecuador will rely on a defensive system that has proven itself, conceding only 19 goals throughout the qualifying phase (third best defense in the Amsud zone).
Incarnated by the talented Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie and Moises Caicedo.
Player to watch: Pervis Estupinan
Ecuadorian Pervis Estupinan, October 22, 2022 at City Stadium (Manchester).
ActionPlus / Icon Sports
Leaving to join the Premier League and Brighton this summer after having exploded at Villarreal, where he was one of the architects of the historic journey of the yellow submarine to the semi-finals of the last Champions League, Estupinan was logically the one of the most popular full-backs in Europe in the off-season.
At 24, this tireless defender was one of the basic men of the Tri during the qualifications.
Ecuador match schedule
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