Ecuador national football team facts for kids
The Ecuador national football team (called La Selección de fútbol de Ecuador in Spanish), often nicknamed La Tricolor (The Tricolors), represents Ecuador in men's international football games. The team is managed by the Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (Ecuadorian Football Federation). They joined FIFA in 1926 and CONMEBOL (the South American football confederation) a year later.
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Nickname(s) | La Tri (The Tri) La Tricolor (The Tricolors) |
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Association | Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (FEF) | |||
Confederation | CONMEBOL (South America) | |||
Head coach | Sebastián Beccacece | |||
Captain | Enner Valencia | |||
Most caps | Iván Hurtado (168) | |||
Top scorer | Enner Valencia (46) | |||
Home stadium | Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado | |||
FIFA code | ECU | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 58 ![]() |
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Highest | 10 (June 2013) | |||
Lowest | 71 (November 2017) | |||
Elo ranking | ||||
Current | 24 ![]() |
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Highest | 11 (27 March 2013) | |||
Lowest | 120 (December 1959) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Bogotá, Colombia; 8 August 1938) |
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Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Quito, Ecuador; 22 June 1975) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942) |
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World Cup | ||||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2002) | |||
Best result | Round of 16 (2006) | |||
Copa América | ||||
Appearances | 30 (first in 1939) | |||
Best result | Fourth place (1959, 1993) | |||
CONCACAF Gold Cup | ||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2002) | |||
Best result | Group stage (2002) |
Ecuador was invited to the first FIFA World Cup in Uruguay but did not go. They finally played in their first World Cup in 2002. In the qualifying games, they did very well, finishing above strong teams like Brazil and Uruguay. This success showed off talented players like Agustín Delgado and Iván Hurtado.
The team had a great run in the 2006 World Cup, reaching the Round of 16. This was their best performance ever in the tournament. However, they were eliminated early in the 2007 Copa América. Ecuador has never won the continental tournament. Their best finishes were fourth place in 1959 and 1993, both times when they hosted the event.
Ecuador usually plays its home matches at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito.
Contents
History of Ecuadorian Football
For a long time, Ecuador was not considered a very strong football nation in South America. But in recent years, they have become a serious competitor.
Football came to Ecuador thanks to Juan Alfredo Wright. He had studied in England and brought the sport back with him. On April 23, 1899, he and his brother Roberto started the first Ecuadorian football team, Guayaquil Sport Club. As football became more popular, more teams were formed. The national football federation was founded in 1925.
In 1938, Ecuador played its first official match at the 1938 Bolivarian Games. They tied 1–1 with Bolivia. They then beat Colombia 2–1. After some more games, Ecuador won the bronze medal in the tournament.
Ecuador first tried to qualify for the World Cup in 1962 but lost to Argentina. In the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, the format changed to a home-and-away system. This helped Ecuador a lot, as they won many important games at home. They finished 6th, just missing out on qualification.
Under coach Hernán Darío Gómez, Ecuador made history in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. They beat Brazil 1–0 and needed just one point to qualify. They got that point with a 1–1 draw against Uruguay, earning their first trip to the World Cup.
At the 2002 World Cup, Ecuador lost their first game to Italy. Agustín Delgado scored Ecuador's first World Cup goal in a 2–1 loss to Mexico. Even though they beat Croatia, Ecuador finished fourth in their group.
After a disappointing 2004 Copa América, Luis Fernando Suárez became the coach. He led them to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In Germany, Ecuador won against Poland and Costa Rica, making it to the knockout stages for the first time.
After a less successful 2014 FIFA World Cup and some early exits from the Copa América, Gustavo Quinteros took over as coach. He helped Ecuador reach the quarter-finals of the Copa América Centenario in 2016. However, they did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Hernán Darío Gómez returned as coach for the 2019 Copa América, but his second time with the team was short. He was fired after the team only earned one point in the tournament.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Ecuador faced a penalty. They were deducted three points and fined because a player had a passport with incorrect information in the previous World Cup qualifying games.
Home Stadium
The Ecuador national team plays its home games at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito. This stadium opened in 1951 and can hold 35,724 fans.
The stadium has a running track, which is important for athletics events in South America. There are 15 gates around the stadium, allowing people to leave quickly in about 10 minutes. It also has a large electronic scoreboard, which is 10 meters tall and 30 meters wide.
Many important matches have been played here. Ecuador defeated Uruguay in the 1993 Copa América and Brazil in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. On November 7, 2001, Ecuador tied with Uruguay in this stadium, which meant they qualified for their first World Cup.
The Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa was planned to be replaced by a newer stadium, but Ecuador decided not to host the Copa América in 2022. For the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Ecuador played at the Casa Blanca.
Team Uniform and Crest

The standard uniform for Ecuador uses the colors of the national flag: a yellow top, blue shorts, and red socks. The away uniform is usually white and blue, based on the flag of the Guayas Province.
From 1965 to 2020, the team's crest featured the Andean condor, which is Ecuador's national bird. In January 2020, the Ecuadorian Football Federation changed its logo. The new crest is a navy blue shield with the letters "FEF" designed to look like a condor.
Kit Sponsors
Kit supplier | Period |
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1985 |
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1986–1990 |
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1991–1992 |
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1993–1994 |
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1994–present |
Recent Matches and Schedule
This section shows Ecuador's match results from the last year and upcoming games.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024 Matches
6 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Brazil ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Curitiba, Brazil |
22:00 UTC−3 |
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Stadium: Estádio Couto Pereira Attendance: 36,914 Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina) |
10 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Ecuador ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Quito, Ecuador |
16:00 UTC−5 |
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Stadium: Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado Attendance: 35,000 Referee: Andrés Rojas (Colombia) |
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Ecuador ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Quito, Ecuador |
16:00 UTC−5 | Stadium: Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado Attendance: 31,000 Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil) |
15 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Uruguay ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Montevideo, Uruguay |
20:30 UTC−3 | Stadium: Estadio Centenario Attendance: 27,112 Referee: Cristian Garay (Chile) |
14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Ecuador ![]() |
4–0 | ![]() |
Guayaquil, Ecuador |
19:00 UTC−5 | Stadium: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo Attendance: 30,758 Referee: Maximiliano Ramírez (Argentina) |
19 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Colombia ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Barranquilla, Colombia |
18:00 UTC−5 |
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Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Attendance: 37,316 Referee: Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay) |
2025 Matches
21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Ecuador ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Quito, Ecuador |
16:00 UTC−5 |
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Stadium: Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado Attendance: 41,575 Referee: Ramon Abatti (Brazil) |
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Chile ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Santiago, Chile |
21:00 UTC−3 | Stadium: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos Attendance: 38,996 Referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay) |
5 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Ecuador ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Guayaquil, Ecuador |
18:00 UTC−5 | Stadium: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo Attendance: 59,283 Referee: Piero Maza (Chile) |
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Peru ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Lima, Peru |
20:30 UTC−5 | Stadium: Estadio Nacional Attendance: 33,749 Referee: Andrés Rojas (Colombia) |
4 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Paraguay ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Asunción, Paraguay |
20:30 UTC−3 | Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco |
9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Ecuador ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Guayaquil, Ecuador |
18:00 UTC−5 | Stadium: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo |
10 October Friendly | United States ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Austin, United States |
19:30 UTC−5 | Stadium: Q2 Stadium |
14 October Friendly | Mexico ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Zapopan, Mexico |
Stadium: Estadio Akron |
Team Coaches
The current head coach for the Ecuador national football team is Sebastián Beccacece from Argentina. He leads a team of assistant coaches, a goalkeeper coach, and a fitness coach.
Position | Name |
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Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() ![]() |
Goalkeeper coach | ![]() |
Fitness coach | ![]() |
Current Players
The following players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Brazil and Peru in June 2025.
The number of games played (Caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 10, 2025, after the match against Peru.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Hernán Galíndez | 30 March 1987 | 27 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Moisés Ramírez | 9 September 2000 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | GK | Gonzalo Valle | 28 February 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
GK | David Cabezas | 12 June 1995 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Félix Torres | 11 January 1997 | 45 | 5 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Piero Hincapié | 9 January 2002 | 46 | 3 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Joel Ordóñez | 21 April 2004 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Cristian Ramírez | 12 August 1994 | 22 | 1 | ![]() |
6 | DF | Willian Pacho | 16 October 2001 | 26 | 2 | ![]() |
7 | DF | Pervis Estupiñán | 21 January 1998 | 48 | 4 | ![]() |
14 | DF | Xavier Arreaga | 28 September 1994 | 20 | 1 | ![]() |
17 | DF | Ángelo Preciado | 18 February 1998 | 48 | 0 | ![]() |
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8 | MF | Yaimar Medina | 5 November 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
9 | MF | John Yeboah | 23 June 2000 | 14 | 2 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Kendry Páez | 4 May 2007 | 18 | 2 | ![]() |
15 | MF | Pedro Vite | 9 March 2002 | 8 | 1 | ![]() |
16 | MF | Alan Minda | 14 May 2003 | 14 | 2 | ![]() |
18 | MF | Denil Castillo | 24 March 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | MF | Bryan Ramírez | 11 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | MF | Alan Franco | 21 August 1998 | 50 | 1 | ![]() |
23 | MF | Moisés Caicedo | 2 November 2001 | 55 | 3 | ![]() |
MF | Jhegson Méndez | 26 April 1997 | 38 | 0 | ![]() |
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11 | FW | Kevin Rodríguez | 4 March 2000 | 25 | 2 | ![]() |
13 | FW | Enner Valencia (captain) | 4 November 1989 | 98 | 46 | ![]() |
19 | FW | Nilson Angulo | 19 June 2003 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
FW | John Mercado | 3 June 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
Players Called Up Recently
These players have been called up to the team in the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Gilmar Napa | 5 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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DF | Carlos Gruezo | 19 April 1995 | 65 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jhoanner Chávez | 25 April 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jackson Porozo | 4 August 2000 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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MF | Gonzalo Plata | 1 November 2000 | 43 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Janner Corozo | 8 September 1995 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Keny Arroyo | 14 February 2006 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Darwin Guagua | 6 November 2007 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Patrik Mercado | 31 July 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ángel Mena | 21 January 1988 | 62 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Jeremy Sarmiento | 16 June 2002 | 24 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Óscar Zambrano | 20 April 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Patrickson Delgado | 17 October 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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FW | Leonardo Campana | 24 July 2000 | 16 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Anthony Valencia | 21 July 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
INJ Withdrew from the squad due to injury. |
Retired Jersey Numbers
After the death of player Christian Benítez, the Ecuadorian Football Federation decided that his jersey number 11 would no longer be used by the national team. This was done to honor him. However, because of FIFA rules, the number had to be used again for the 2014 World Cup squad.
Player Records
Here are some records for players who have played for Ecuador. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the national team.
Most Games Played
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Ecuador career |
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1 | Iván Hurtado | 168 | 4 | 1992–2014 |
2 | Walter Ayoví | 122 | 8 | 2001–2017 |
3 | Édison Méndez | 112 | 18 | 2000–2014 |
4 | Álex Aguinaga | 109 | 23 | 1987–2004 |
5 | Ulises de la Cruz | 101 | 6 | 1995–2010 |
6 | Luis Capurro | 100 | 1 | 1985–2003 |
7 | Antonio Valencia | 99 | 11 | 2004–2019 |
8 | Enner Valencia | 97 | 46 | 2012–present |
9 | Giovanny Espinoza | 90 | 3 | 2000–2009 |
10 | Segundo Castillo | 88 | 9 | 2003–2016 |
José Francisco Cevallos | 88 | 0 | 1994–2010 |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Ecuador career |
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1 | Enner Valencia | 46 | 97 | 0.47 | 2012–present |
2 | Agustín Delgado | 31 | 71 | 0.44 | 1994–2006 |
3 | Eduardo Hurtado | 26 | 74 | 0.35 | 1992–2002 |
4 | Christian Benítez | 25 | 61 | 0.41 | 2005–2013 |
5 | Álex Aguinaga | 23 | 109 | 0.21 | 1987–2004 |
6 | Felipe Caicedo | 22 | 68 | 0.32 | 2005–2017 |
7 | Édison Méndez | 18 | 112 | 0.16 | 2000–2014 |
8 | Raúl Avilés | 16 | 55 | 0.29 | 1987–1993 |
Iván Kaviedes | 16 | 57 | 0.28 | 1996–2012 | |
10 | Ariel Graziani | 15 | 34 | 0.44 | 1997–2000 |
Team Achievements
Regional Competitions
Friendly Tournaments
- Korea Cup (1): 1995
- Canada Cup (1): 1999
Images for kids
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Jordi Cruijff became the manager of Ecuador in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Ecuador para niños