World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Ecuador-Argentina, likely lineups
Already certain of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Ecuador and Argentina are essentially playing for glory on the final day of the CONMEBOL Zone, the South American confederation’s single round. The hosts can still take the satisfaction of finishing second, however, with a win and a misstep by Brazil and Uruguay, while the defending world champions have nothing to ask for, as they are already sure of first place.
For Ecuador, that at World Cup 2026 will be its second consecutive participation in the World Cup, an achievement already achieved in 2002 and 2006. The best result came just in the German edition, with reaching the round of 16 where they were defeated 1-0 by England. Against Argentina, the goal is to unblock the attack: the Tricolor’s last four games have all ended 0-0.
The Albiceleste, for its part, has set the stage for its 14th straight participation in the World Cup finals, having won in 1978, 1986 and 2022. It literally dominated the qualifying round, collecting 38 points in 17 games, 10 more than its closest pursuer, Brazil. In Ecuador, Lautaro Martinez and his teammates undoubtedly want to close on a high note.
Probable lineups
ECUADOR (4-4-2): Valle; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Estupiñán; Preciado, Caicedo, Vite, Angulo; Yeboah, Rodriguez. C.t. Beccacece.
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ARGENTINA (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Montiel; De Paul, Paredes, MacAllister; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada. C.t. Scaloni.
