QUITO: Ecuador were the last squad to be known among the 32 in the World Cup, and their coach Gustavo Alfaro did not include a player who put the team’s presence in the tournament in doubt.
Alfaro announced his squad on Monday evening, close to the deadline, and did not include defender Byron Castillo despite all the legal troubles Ecuador football authorities went through since they qualified in March.
Chile and Peru argued before sporting authorities that Castillo was actually Colombian and illegally played several World Cup qualifiers. The claim was rejected and Ecuador were allowed to feature in Group A with hosts Qatar, Senegal and Holland.
Ecuador and Qatar will open the tournament on Sunday. — AP
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that Ecuador will lose three points before the start of South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup due to the use of false information on Castillo’s birthday and birthplace in their proceedings to grant him a passport.
Alfaro called up striker Kevin Rodriguez, who plays in Ecuador’s second division.
Ecuador are in the World Cup for the fourth time, all in this century. — AP
Goalkeepers: Moises Ramirez, Alexander Dominguez, Hernan Galindez.
Defenders: Piero Hincapie, Robert Arboleda, Pervis Estupinan, Angelo Preciado, Jackson Porozo, Xavier Arreaga, Diego Palacios, Felix Torres, William Pacho.
Midfielders: Carlos Gruezo, Jose Cifuentes, Jhegson Mendez, Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento, Alan Franco, Angel Mena, Ayrton Preciado, Gonzalo Plata, Romario Ibarra
Forwards: Djorkaeff Reasco, Enner Valencia, Kevin Rodriguez, Michael Estrada
