Caicedo, Pacho to lead Ecuador in World Cup

Published June 2, 2026 Updated June 2, 2026 07:10am

QUITO: Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo and newly crowned Champions League winner Willian Pacho of Paris St-Germain will spearhead Ecuador’s challenge at the World Cup.

Piero Hincapie, who was part of the losing Arsenal squad in the European showpiece in Budapest on Saturday, was also named on Sunday in the squad for the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Enner Valencia, 36, will feature in his third World Cup finals.

Ecuador are in Group E and play their first match against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 14 before facing debutants Curacao on June 20 in Kansas City and Germany on June 25 in New Jersey.

They will aim to reach the knockout stage after being eliminated in the group phase at the 2022 finals in Qatar.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez, Moises Ramrez, Gonzalo Valle; Defenders: Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho, Joel Ordonez, Felix Torres, Jackson Porozo, Angelo Preciado; Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Pedro Vite, Jeremy Arevalo, Kendry Paez, Jordy Alcivar, Nilson Angulo, Anthony Valencia, John Yeboah, Denil Castillo, Gonzalo Plata; Forwards: Enner Valencia, Kevin Rodriguez, Jordy Caicedo, Yaimar Medina.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

Mixed messaging
Updated 02 Jun, 2026

Mixed messaging

It is fair to ask how these actions fit into a strategy that is supposedly aimed at reaching a negotiated settlement.
Sugar: the bitter truth
02 Jun, 2026

Sugar: the bitter truth

THEY are at it again. Politically powerful sugar mill owners are back with their demand seeking permission to export...
Uphill battle
02 Jun, 2026

Uphill battle

A DISPUTE has broken out between Karachi’s political representatives over illegal encroachments on the city’s...
Budget concerns
Updated 01 Jun, 2026

Budget concerns

Mistaking IMF compliance for sound economic management is what is driving the economy into deeper stagnation.
Gaza’s tragedy
01 Jun, 2026

Gaza’s tragedy

HISTORY may record this as one of the most brazen deceptions of our time. President Donald Trump’s so called Board...
New sports policy
01 Jun, 2026

New sports policy

BETTER sense has prevailed with a new national sports policy set to be rolled out, thus preventing a clash between...