Sebastián Beccacece has named his 26-man Ecuador squad for the 2026 World Cup, and there's genuine quality across this list — not just familiar names making up the numbers.
The announcement came via a video from the Ecuadorian Football Federation that leaned into the country's history of emigration. Emotional framing aside, what matters is the football, and Beccacece has assembled a squad with real European pedigree. Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo anchors midfield. William Pacho comes in off a Champions League run with PSG. Piero Hincapié is now an Arsenal defender. Pervis Estupiñán made the move to AC Milan. This isn't a squad scrapping for respectability — it's one that can genuinely hurt teams.
Enner Valencia still leading the line
At 35, Enner Valencia remains the focal point up front. Ecuador's all-time leading scorer is still doing it at Pachuca in Liga MX, and Beccacece clearly trusts him to be the reference point in attack. His presence will matter — both for what he offers on the pitch and for how opponents set up against Ecuador. Defences that respect Valencia's movement will leave space for younger runners around him.
Kendry Páez, the 18-year-old River Plate midfielder, is the one to watch for the future. He's not just a feel-good story — he's a player with genuine ability to influence games at this level.
Ecuador's full 26-man roster
- Goalkeepers: Hernán Galíndez (Huracán), Moisés Ramírez (AE Kifisias), Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito)
- Defenders: Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain), Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge), Jackson Porozo (Club Tijuana), Félix Torres (Internacional), Pervis Estupiñán (AC Milan), Yaimar Medina (Genk), Ángelo Preciado (Atlético Mineiro)
- Midfielders: Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), Jordy Alcívar (Independiente del Valle), Denil Castillo (Midtjylland), Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro), Kendry Páez (River Plate), Nilson Angulo (Sunderland)
- Forwards: Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo), John Yeboah (Venezia), Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Jordy Caicedo (Huracán), Jeremy Arévalo (Stuttgart), Anthony Valencia (Royal Antwerp), Kevin Rodríguez (Union Saint-Gilloise)
Ecuador open Group B already sitting on zero points after a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast on June 15. They face Curaçao on June 20 — a result they need — before a closing group game against Germany on June 25. The draw is manageable, but they've already given themselves a hill to climb.
A squad this talented losing their opener to Ivory Coast is exactly the kind of result that scrambles pre-tournament odds. Ecuador's chances of advancing now hinge on handling Curaçao cleanly and taking something off Germany — not impossible, but no longer straightforward.
