Closer Look at The Ecuadorean National Team in The World Cup

The Ecuadorean national team, through its fourth World Cup appearance in the finals, is looking to confirm its eligibility to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, especially after the issue raised by the Chilean federation regarding the participation of player Byron Castillo, which was resolved by the International Football Association (FIFA) in favor of Ecuador.

By looking at Ecuador's journey in the South American qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in which it ranked fourth in 26 points, it appears that the source of this team's strength is playing at home in Quito, which is above sea level, where Ecuador won five, drew three matches and lost once in the qualifiers campaign on its land which above sea level by about 2,800 meters, while it won twice, drew twice and lose five times outside its stadium.

Uruguayan coach Gustavo Alfaro, who is known for his prowess in discovering elements and touring football stadiums in South America, is one of the strengths of the Ecuadorian national team, especially as he succeeded in assembling a group of distinguished players before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers, led by Byron Castillo, who was the subject of the complaint submitted by Chile was that he had not obtained Ecuadorean citizenship, but FIFA decided the matter in favor of Ecuador and approved its qualification for the World Cup.

Ecuador has a good goalkeeper, Alexandre Dominguez, who is distinguished by his strength and determination despite his advanced age (36), in addition to top scorer Augustin Delgado and winger Enner Valencia.

The team relies a lot on the elements of experience and youth, although it loses the most important of them, Jorge Rojas, who has a cruciate ligament tear, according to his country's federation.

The wings runs are the main strengths of Ecuador, with former Manchester United player Ener Valencia on the right and Jorge Caicedo, who has super speed.

The Ecuadorean national team will play the World Cup opener against Qatar on November 20 at Al Bayt Stadium.

After that, Ecuador will clash with the Netherlands and Senegal on the 25th and 29th of the same month, at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Ecuadorian Federation chose the Hyatt Regency Hotel as the headquarters of the national team during the duration of the tournament, provided that it trains on the stadiums of Mesaimeer Club.

The Ecuador national team played ten matches during its previous three participations in the World Cup, winning on four occasions, losing on five and drawing once, scoring ten goals, and conceding 11 goals.

The best participation of Ecuador at all was its participation in the World Cup in Germany in 2006, where the Ecuadorean team managed to qualify for the 16th round, before losing to England with a goal by David Beckham.