Ecuador’s likely line-up to look for first win in 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay

The Ecuadorian team on Monday tried behind closed doors the strategy they will follow against their similar Uruguay team in their first home game in these 2026 World Cup qualifiers. La Tri are coming off a 1-0 defeat against Argentina and will have to the light blue team that beat Chile 3-1.

The line of three defenders seems untouchable in the formation, according to technical director Félix Sánchez Bas in a press conference.

“The line of three in defense works, I think the concepts are clear. But more than the three line, I believe that the defensive block of the team is very important,” said Sánchez Bas.

Ecuador vs. Uruguay for South American qualifiers: channels and schedules to watch live

“Depending on the match, the opponent, the available players, we can’t play with only three center backs or with two; with extremes, without extremes; play with two ‘5’s or one, it depends. “It’s an option,” he added.

Regarding the formation changes, the strategist commented that “some adjustments will be tried” but clarified that “not because of the lack of performance in the previous game, but to focus on the next game. Some new part is good to get the performance that want.

This is the position table for the South American qualifiers prior to the start of the 2nd

Among the possible variants could be the entry of goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez instead of Hernán Galíndez and striker Jhojan Julio instead of Gonzalo Plata. Both of them know the Rodrigo Paz stadium very well.

Didawho had an injury before the match against Albicelesta from which he recovered, saved his last in the 3-0 win over Costa Rica in the last term of FIFA in June.

Likewise, the entry of right back Ángel Preciado at the expense of José Hurtado.

In this way, the eleven that Félix Sánchez Bas would set up would be with them Alexander Dominguez; Robert Arboleda, Félix Torres, William Pacho; Angelo Preciado, Pervis Estupiñán; Carlos Gruezo, José Cifuentes, Moisés Caicedo; Jhojan Julio and Enner Valencia.

The match between Tricolor and Celeste is scheduled for 16:00 (18:00 Uruguayan time) at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium, in the city of Quito. (D)

South American qualifiers 2026