Ecuador Copa America squad review: A difficult tournament awaits

Ecuador have been pitted into Group B for this edition of Copa America, and are seen as the most likely side to finish as runners-up, and thus most likely to face Argentina in the quarter-finals. They did avoid a qualification play-off to reach the tournament, but it's a different beast when the actual thing rolls around in the United States.

Ecuador – Key facts

Year founded: 1925

Nickname: La Tricolor

Current FIFA ranking: 31st

It has been a steady rise for Ecuador as a footballing nation these past 12 months. Ecuador have moved up 10 spaces in FIFA's rankings, which now sees them sit inside the top five of all CONMEBOL sides.

Highest FIFA ranking: 10

Despite not having a major tournament in 2013 when Ecuador reached the heights of 2013, La Tricolor were doing well enough to surge up the rankings. However, they quickly slipped down after not making it out of the group stages at the 2014 World Cup.

Year of Copa America debut: 1939

It took Ecuador six attempts of playing at Copa America to get their first win in 1949. Their very first entrance in 1939 was shambolic, as they lost all four games, conceded 18 goals and scored just four themselves.

Best Copa America performance: Fourth place (1993)

Ecuador have never been able to light up the Copa America, having never reached a final. However, they did at least save their best performance for when they held the competition in 1993, finishing fourth and winning four games.

Player to watch: Moises Caicedo

The world's most-expensive midfielder was hitting form towards the back end of the 2023/24 season for Chelsea, and his dominance in midfield will be key for Ecuador.

Caicedo has started 15 of Ecuador's last 16 games and does have a license to venture forward when required, although his steel in midfield and tough-tackling nature is going to be necessary for any sort of success.

Full Ecuador Copa America squad

Ecuador will be hopeful of claiming a few scalps this summer but with history not on their side, getting out of Group B will be seen as relative success. According to the bookmakers, Ecuador are the seventh favourites to go all the way at 16/1 which isn't going to tempt many people.

La Tricolor have only ever won 16 games during their 29 appearances at different Copa America tournaments throughout the years so expectations will be relatively low heading to America, especially if they meet Argentina as the bookies expect.