World champions Argentina begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a home tie against Ecuador this week at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina have won all four friendly matches since winning the 2022 World Cup without conceding a single goal
- Ecuador have looked solid too and have won three out of their four friendly matches since featuring in Qatar
- The hosts are unbeaten across their last five meetings with the visitors
Lionel Scaloni and Lionel Messi’s La Albiceleste were triumphant in the Middle East last winter and begin their title defence here against Ecuador. La Tri will open their qualifying campaign on minus three points but will still feel confident about reaching the 2026 World Cup finals.
Argentina Form
After a shock defeat in their Qatar World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, Argentina have won every single encounter since. Despite needing penalties to decide their quarter-final tie against the Netherlands and needing a shootout to conquer France in the final, La Albiceleste are in the swing of picking up wins of late.
They have played four friendlies since Messi lifted the trophy in the Middle East and they have won them all, keeping a clean sheet in each. The victories came against fairly weak opposition in Panama, Curacao, Australia and Indonesia but the confidence will be flowing heading into their first 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Ecuador Form
La Tri failed to make it out of Group A in Qatar, despite picking up four points. They beat Qatar and picked up a solid draw against the Netherlands but a defeat in their final group game against Senegal meant that Ecuador failed to reach the knockouts.
Back-to-back friendlies against Australia in March opened with a 3-1 defeat to the Socceroos in Sydney before Ecuador got revenge in Melbourne with a 2-1 win. That signalled the start of a three-match winning streak as they went on to defeat Bolivia and Costa Rica in June.
However, they will have to begin the campaign on minus three points after falsifying birth documents for Byron Castillo. Nevertheless, two additional qualification spots for CONMEBOL sides should mean Ecuador will still appear in North America in 2026.
Head-to-Head
The two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw in Guayaquil when they last met during 2022 World Cup qualification. However, Argentina had won the four successive meetings prior to the draw. Ecuador haven’t beaten their opponents in any of their last five attempts, with their last victory coming in 2015.
Team News
Walter Benítez, Lucas Esquivel, Bruno Zapelli, Lucas Beltrán and Alan Velasco will all be hoping to earn their maiden caps for Argentina after being called up to the squad. Messi is still a part of the side, despite now being 36-years-old. He will help Argentina reach the finals but it remains to be seen if he will make it to North America.
Paulo Dybala, Emiliano Buendia, Marcos Acuna, Giovani Lo Celso and Giovanni Simeone are the main absentees after they all featured in the squad for recent friendly matches. The first two are dealing with injury issues.
As for the visitors, Joel Ordóñez and Kendry Páez will be looking to earn their first caps for Ecuador. Head coach Félix Sánchez has been rotating his goalkeepers of late, with Alexander Domínguez, Moisés Ramírez and Hernán Galíndez all getting a chance across the last three outings.
Notable absentees come in the form of Piero Hincapie, Jeremy Sarmiento, Alan Franco, Jhegson Méndez and Michael Estrada. All five have featured in recent friendly matches but have failed to make the squad this time around.
Key Players
Messi will be the obvious danger man for the home side. The Inter Miami star has been in excellent form since moving to the MLS, scoring 11 goals in 11 appearances. Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez have also started their respective domestic campaigns in superb form. Scaloni has a lethal attack at his disposal.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo will be the main man in the middle of midfield for Ecuador, whilst Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pervis Estupinan will be influential at left-back. Captain Enner Valencia is set to earn his 80th cap and will be looking for his 41st international goal.
How to watch on TV or Online
The match between Argentina and Ecuador will not be available to watch on TV or online in the UK.
Final Thoughts
Ecuador will provide a much sterner test for Argentina than their recent opponents but the home side are heavy favourites here. La Albiceleste should record a comfortable victory and their attacking corps looks frightening.
WC Qual, CONMEBOL