Ecuador Picks Caicedo and Hincapie for World Cup

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has made it to Ecuador’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

On Monday, BBC Sport reported that the 23-year-old is one of Ecuador’s key players. He will play in his second World Cup, having been part of the team in the last tournament.

Caicedo’s selection shows that Ecuador has a strong group of players based in Europe. They hope to perform better in this World Cup than they have in the past.

He is joined by Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie, who will also appear in his second World Cup. These two players are expected to be crucial for Ecuador as they face a tough group.

Veteran striker and captain Enner Valencia has also been named in the squad. At 36 years old, he is Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer with 49 goals in 105 matches. This will be his third World Cup appearance.

Sunderland forward Nilson Angulo has received his first World Cup call-up after moving from Anderlecht in January. This adds new attacking options to the team. Former Brighton defender Pervis Estupiñán, now with AC Milan, is also in the squad. Chelsea's young talent Kendry Páez, who is currently on loan at River Plate, is included too.

Ecuador aims to improve on their best World Cup performance, which was in 2006 when they reached the round of 16.

They are in Group E and will start their tournament against Ivory Coast on June 15. Next, they will play Curaçao on June 21. Their final group match will be against Germany at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 25.

Ecuador World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez (Huracan), Moises Ramirez (Kifisia), Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito).
Defenders: Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), Willian Pacho (Paris St-Germain), Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan), Felix Torres (Internacional), Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge), Jackson Porozo (Tijuana), Angelo Preciado (Atletico Mineiro).
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro), Kendry Paez (River Plate, on loan from Chelsea), Pedro Vite (UNAM), Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle), Denil Castillo (Midtjylland), Yaimar Medina (Genk).
Forwards: Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise), Jordy Caicedo (Huracan), Nilson Angulo (Sunderland), Anthony Valencia (Antwerp), Jeremy Arevalo (Stuttgart).