Only once have Ecuador reached the knockout stages of the World Cup, but they were one of the stars of qualifying as they showed defensive resilience and a stubborn refusal to respect the reputations of larger countries.

Those performances have the fans dreaming that this team could go further than any Ecuador side before them at a World Cup.

Which Chelsea players do Ecuador have?

Caicedo and Paez are at different stages of their international careers, but are both included in an Ecuador squad growing in experience and confidence.

Caicedo has 60 caps for his country since making his debut back in 2020, and is a veteran of the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas, captaining the side on several occasions during qualifying for this tournament.

Paez, who is on loan with River Plate in Argentina for 2026, already has 25 caps at the age of 19, although many of them came from the bench as he worked to establish himself in the side over the last two years.

Who else is in Ecuador’s squad?

There is plenty of international experience in Ecuador’s squad, with 13 members of the side which travelled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup present again in North America.

Like Caicedo, plenty of Ecuador’s leading players also now feature regularly for top European sides, including UEFA Champions League winner Willian Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League champion Piero Hincapie of Arsenal.

Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez (Huracan), Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito), Moises Ramirez (Kifisia)

Defenders: Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain), Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan), Angelo Preciado (Atletico Mineiro), Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge), Felix Torres (Internacional), Jackson Porozo (Club Tijuana), Yaimar Medina (Genk)

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro), Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo), Kendry Paez (Chelsea), Pedro Vite (Pumas UNAM), Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle), Denil Castillo (Midtjylland), John Yeboah (Venezia), Nilson Angulo (Sunderland), Alan Minda (Atletico Mineiro)

Forwards: Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise), Jordy Caicedo (Huracan), Anthony Valencia (Royal Antwerp), Jeremy Arevalo (Stuttgart)

What teams are in Ecuador’s group?

Four-time winners Germany are the firm favourites to top Group E with a strong qualifying campaign and wealth of tournament pedigree behind them, while at the other end of the scale Curacao are making their World Cup debut as the smallest nation ever the reach the finals.

In the middle you have Ecuador and the Ivory Coast, who are expected to fight it out for second place in their group, with both having hopes of producing a surprise to go far in the tournament.

When are Ecuador’s fixtures?

Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, Philadelphia, Monday 15 June, 12am

Ecuador vs Curacao, Kansas City, Sunday 21 June, 1am

Ecuador vs Germany, New Jersey, Thursday 25 June, 9pm

All times are UK

How did Ecuador qualify?

Ecuador shrugged off their underdog status in qualifying to finish second in the South American table, despite a three-point deduction, behind only reigning world champions Argentina.

It was a success built on defensive solidarity with coach Sebastian Beccacece, conceding just twice in the 12 qualifying matches under his leadership. They have lost just once in all competitions with Beccacece at the helm, and that was a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil in his first game in charge, nearly two years ago.

What is Ecuador’s World Cup history?

This is Ecuador’s fifth appearance at the World Cup, and only the second time they have competed at back-to-back tournaments. Only once have they reached the knockout stages, beating Poland and Costa Rica to reach the last 16 in 2006, but succumbed 1-0 to England in the second round.

They looked set to match that knockout round appearance four years ago, after opening their campaign with a win over hosts Qatar and hard-earned draw with the Netherlands, but a 2-1 loss to Senegal in their last game ended Ecuador’s World Cup in the group stage.