La Tri will open the World Cup qualifying campaign behind the rest of the pack due to a penalty they must serve.
On September 7, Ecuador will kick off its South American route toward the 2026 World Cup in North America. The campaign begins at the Estadio Más Monumental in Argentina, a symbolic setting as the reigning global champions host the opening match. A few days later, Uruguay visits the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito. With a demanding FIFA calendar, Ecuador aims to pick up solid results as it pursues the rest of the field in a competitive qualifying window.
WHY ECUADOR STARTS THE QUALIFICATIONS WITH THREE POINTS LESS
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The team starts with a three-point deduction following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The sanction affects these qualifying matches as the federation navigates the fallout from the dispute tied to the Qatar 2022 World Cup case. The decision arose from allegations surrounding naturalization, which involved a former Ecuadorian player, Byron Castillo. The matter dragged through legal and sporting channels, influencing how Ecuador presented its squad for the 2022 tournament and casting a shadow over the federation’s administrative processes.
In response to the CAS ruling, the Ecuadorian Football Federation issued a statement acknowledging that the arbitrators called for adjustments to the team’s official tally for the current qualifiers. The federation asserted that the decision, perceived as arbitrary by some observers, would have a broader impact on the federation and the national team’s planning. The governing body emphasized its commitment to fair competition and to presenting a squad that adheres to all applicable regulations while pursuing positive results on the field.
Source: Goal