Iran Press/ America: The team qualified for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. They have cemented their position as South America’s fourth greatest team. The Andeans have qualified for four of the last six finals, a better record than Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru, who have qualified alongside regional powerhouses Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Past glories
Ecuador qualified for the 1950 World Cup for the first time but withdrew from the process. They qualified for the first time in 2002 after coming second in South America. After coming third in South America, the team qualified for the second event in 2006. However, they finished sixth in South America in 2010, failing to be eligible for a third consecutive World Cup finals. They then returned to the 2014 edition before being eliminated from the 2018 edition.
However, with the current squad, the degree of expectation on La Tri is set to be higher than ever this time around.
They are also known as the La Tri (The Tri) because of their yellow football jersey.
La Tri has a long history of being one of South America’s most troubled footballing nations. However, they have recently emerged as a strong contender despite their previous flaws.
The team also managed to win the Canada Cup in 1999.
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Roaster
Valencia is Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer with 35 goals, and he shares the record for most goals in World Cup finals tournaments with three with Agustin Delgado.
Enner Remberto Valencia Lastra is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays for Fenerbahçe in Turkey and the Ecuador national team. Valencia has earned 70 caps for La Tri since making his international debut in 2012. He competed in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Copa América in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Gustavo Julio Alfaro is a former Argentine footballer who is now the manager of Ecuador’s national team.
The following players’ names were called to the team’s squad. The squad will represent the country in the forthcoming World Cup tournament in Qatar 2022.
Goalkeepers
Jorge Pinos, Hernan Galindez, Wellington Ramírez
Defenders
Luis Fernando, León Robert, Arboleda Xavier, Arreaga Pervis Estupiñán, Byron Castillo, Félix Torres, Angelo Preciado, Diego Palacios, Piero Hincapié
Midfielders
Danny Cabezas, Bazan Carlos, Gruezo Sebastián, Méndez Joao, Rojas López, José Cifuentes, Alan Franco, Gonzalo Plata, Moises Caicedo, Michael Carcelen, Djorkaeff Reasco
Forwards
Renato Ibarra, Enner Valencia, Romario Ibarra, Ángel Mena, Michael Estrada F, Jeremy Sarmiento, Jordy Caicedo
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Qualifying
In the CONMEBOL qualifications, they finished fourth, barely two points ahead of Peru. After finishing fourth in World Cup qualifying, they earned the last automatic berth for South America at the 2022 World Cup.
According to FIFA rankings, they are the world’s 12th best team. They are also the best South American team, trailing only Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Uruguay.
World Cup draw
Ecuador has been drawn to face hosts Qatar, alongside Netherlands and Senegal in FIFA 2022 World Cup Group A in an outcome that will see teams from four continents face off for places in the knockout stages.
Having reached the World Cup finals three times, the Netherlands national football team has won the majority of their matches since Euro 2020 and will be hopeful of faring considerably better in Qatar.
Senegal is bound to be a dangerous opponent following their African Cup of Nations win earlier this year, whilst Qatar is also current champions of their respective federation having won the AFC Cup back in 2019.
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Controversy surrounding Ecuador might give Italy a chance in World Cup 2022
The Italy national team has failed to make it to the World Cup since 2014.
This time around, the reigning European champions were knocked out of the play-offs to go to the World Cup by North Macedonia. Macedonia were massive underdogs for the match and yet managed to take out a 1-0 win that took them to the next round.
However, they were knocked out by Portugal, who booked their spot in the biggest tournament on the planet.
Now, there is a probability that Ecuador might be banned from the World Cup if the allegations surrounding them are proven right.
They played Byron Castillo, a defender who is allegedly Columbian and also lied about his age, in their World Cup qualifying matches. So, Italy still has a chance to qualify for the World Cup.
If Ecuador does get banned, it will open the door for another team to take their spot. There is a FIFA rule that states that the highest-ranking nation in the FIFA rankings will take Ecuador’s spot, which is currently Italy.
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