The Ecuador national football squad (Spanish: Selección de ftbol de Ecuador) is administered by the Ecuadorian Football Federation and represents Ecuador in men’s international football (FEF). They joined FIFA in 1926 and CONMEBOL the following year.
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Ecuador did not compete in the first FIFA World Cup, which was hosted in Uruguay, and did not make their tournament debut until 2002. After placing ahead of Brazil and Uruguay in the rankings, Ecuador’s qualifying campaign saw the development of numerous players, including Agustn Delgado, Lex Aguinaga, Iván Hurtado, Ulises de la Cruz, and Iván Kaviedes, who would pave the way for the country’s success over the next decade. [3] After reaching the Round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup,[4] they were anticipated to produce in the 2007 Copa América, but were ousted in the group stage. [5] They, like Venezuela, have failed to win the continental competition. La Tri’s best finish was fourth in 1959 and 1993, all on home soil.
The majority of Ecuador’s home matches are held at the Estadio Olmpico Atahualpa in Quito. It was scheduled for demolition in late 2020 to make way for a newer, more modern venue. [6]
Ecuador has historically been regarded as a struggling South American footballing nation. Despite its past irregularities, Ecuador has recently emerged as a serious South American competitor.
Juan Alfredo Wright, who had lately returned from university in England, brought football to Ecuador. He and his brother Roberto formed the first Ecuadorian football team, Guayaquil Sport Club, on April 23, 1899. [7] [8] As the sport’s popularity rose in the country, more teams were formed. The Federación Deportiva Nacional del Ecuador was established on May 30, 1925. [8] FIFA issued an invitation to a men’s national team to compete in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. However, the then-Minister of Social Security and Sports declined the offer because the financial allocation was not approved. [9]
The I Bolivarian Games were held in 1938, with Ecuador poised to compete in the football competition. They played their maiden match on August 8, 1938, drawing 1-1 with Bolivia. The national team then defeated Colombia 2-1 in their next encounter. Ecuador was tied for second place with Bolivia after a 9-1 thrashing by Peru and a 5-2 victory over Venezuela. Bolivia won a playoff, and Ecuador took bronze. [10]
The squad qualified for the World Cup for the first time after coming fourth in the 1959 South American Championship. After being defeated by Argentina, they failed to qualify for the 1962 finals.
The structure for qualification in CONMEBOL was altered to a league home-and-away system for the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. This disparity had a significant influence on Ecuador’s performance, as they won numerous critical home games during the campaign. In the end, they finished sixth, slightly ahead of Peru and Chile.
Ecuador began the 2002 World Cup with a 2-0 defeat against Italy. Agustn Delgado scored his country’s first World Cup goal, putting them up 2-1 against Mexico. [12] Ecuador defeated Croatia, who had finished third in the previous tournament, and eliminated the Croats in the process, despite finishing fourth in Group G and 24th overall.
Gómez resigned after a poor performance in the 2004 Copa América, and he was replaced by Luis Fernando Suárez. He successfully guided them through the final phases of qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, placing third to make the finals. They were placed in Group A in Germany, alongside the hosts, Poland, and Costa Rica. Ecuador qualified for the knockout stages for the first time after victories over Poland and Costa Rica.
Gustavo Quinteros was appointed to assist rebuild the national squad after a disappointing 2014 FIFA World Cup and a run of failing to move past the group stages of the Copa América. Quinteros helped Ecuador to the Copa América Centenario quarterfinals[13] and a great start to the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. They suffered a setback after losing to Uruguay, finishing eighth in the rankings.
Gómez was re-appointed as Ecuador’s coach for the 2019 Copa América. His second stint was brief, as he was fired soon after a disastrous tournament in which he only earned one point. [14]
