FIFA World cup Qatar 2022 : After missing out in 2018, Ecuador are back at the World Cup finals for the fourth time.
The tiny South American nation qualified in the fourth spot behind Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, and boast a young and exciting team that Brazil manager Tite claimed could be "the surprise package in Qatar."
La Tricolor are very much this tournament's dark horses, with only Moises Caicedo of English Premier League side Brighton a widely recognized name outside of South America.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder, touted as the next N'Golo Kante, is reportedly on the transfer radar of Liverpool and Chelsea but has long been a key player for his country.
Yet, Ecuador's World Cup build-up has been dogged by a legal battle in which Chile and Peru accuse Ecuador of having fielded an ineligible player, Byron Castillo, in eight of Ecuador's 18 World Cup qualifiers. However, in June, FIFA's appeals committee ruled in favour of Castillo qualifying to play for Ecuador.
Choosing who will lead the Ecuador frontline has become head coach Gustavo Alfaro's biggest pre-tournament headache.
Ecuador captain Enner Valencia netted three times in the 2014 edition in Brazil and the squad will be hoping to lean on his invaluable experience.
The 32-year-old Fenerbahce forward scored four times in qualifying, two fewer than his direct rival Michael Estrada.
Estrada, who plays his club football for Cruz Azul in the Mexican top flight, hopes that a good showing in the Middle East will spark a move abroad to Europe.
Ecuador have played 10 games in the FIFA World Cup out of which they have won 4 and lost 5
La Tricolor will be taking part in their 4th FIFA World Cup campaign this year
Ecuador have been placed in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, African champions Senegal, and the Netherlands.
Here is the provisional list of players submitted by Ecuador -
Hernan Galindez (Universidad de Chile), Moises Ramirez (Independiente del Valle), Jorge Pinos (9 de Octubre)
Robert Arboleda (Sao Paulo), Pervis Estupinan (Villarreal), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Angelo Preciado (Genk), Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen), Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders), Diego Palacios (Los Angeles), Byron Castillo (Barcelona), Fernando Leon (Atletico San Luis)
Carlos Gruezo (Augsburg), Angel Mena (Leon), Jhegson Mendez (Orlando City), Gonzalo Plata (Real Valladolid), Romario Ibarra (Pachuca), Moises Caicedo (Brighton), Alan Franco (Charlotte), Joao Rojas (Emelec), Jose Cifuentes (Los Angeles), Michael Carcelen (Barcelona), Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton), Danny Cabezas (Independiente del Valle)
Enner Valencia (Fenerbahce), Michael Estrada (DC United), Jordy Caicedo (CSKA Sofia), Djorkaeff Reasco (Newell's Old Boys)
Group A games-
Ecuador vs Qatar - 20th Nov; 9.30 PM IST – Al Bayt Stadium
Ecuador vs Netherlands - 25th Nov; 9.30 PM IST – Khalifa International Stadium
Ecuador vs Senegal – 29th Nov; 8.30 PM IST- Khalifa International Stadium
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