League: FIFA World Cup Sport: Soccer Country: Global Category: Playoffs

Ecuador features all-European XI in World Cup opener against Côte d'Ivoire

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 10:51 PM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

Ecuador features all-European XI in World Cup opener against Côte d'Ivoire

Summary

Ecuador's national soccer team will open their fifth FIFA World Cup against Côte d'Ivoire on June 14, 2026, with a historic starting lineup. For the first time, the team does not include any players who play in Ecuador's domestic league, showcasing talent primarily from European clubs. Key players include Piero Hincapié of Arsenal, Willian Pacho from PSG, and Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea. Ecuador finished second in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, performing well above traditional rivals Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay. Their lineup reflects a significant shift in Ecuadorian soccer as they rely on international talent for success in the tournament.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Ecuador faces Côte d'Ivoire in the World Cup match today.
•The team features only players from European clubs.
•Ecuador qualified second in CONMEBOL, outperforming Brazil and Uruguay.
•Piero Hincapié, Willian Pacho, and Moisés Caicedo are key players.

Latest Updates

10:51 PMYahoo Sports — A golden generation? Ecuador's starting XI makes national team history 🇪🇨

What they're saying

"
Headlined by Arsenal's Piero Hincapié, PSG's Willian Pacho, and Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo, Ecuador's 'golden generation' has flown slightly under the radar.The South American side finished second in�...
— Yahoo Sports

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