Ecuador arrive at the 2026 World Cup for their fifth appearance, having first qualified in 2002 for the tournament in South Korea and Japan. Their best finish remains the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they topped a group that included Poland and Costa Rica, beating both before falling one nil to England. No titles, but a consistent modern presence across five tournaments, with 2026 marking the continuation of a generation that has made South American football take notice.

Ecuador's route to 2026 was defined by defensive discipline and quiet resilience. Under coach Sebastián Beccacece, La Tri finished second in the CONMEBOL round robin with 29 points from 18 matches, behind only Argentina, built on 13 clean sheets and just five goals conceded across the entire campaign. That record is all the more striking given Ecuador began qualifying under a three point administrative deduction carried over from the Byron Castillo eligibility dispute of the previous cycle. They sealed their place on 06/10/25 with a goalless draw against Peru in Lima.