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Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella, who haunted the DFB side during the 2024 European Championship on German soil, has identified Ecuador as his surprise package for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference about potential underdog stories in the tournament, Cucurella remarked, "Of course, there are always the traditional favourites. But I believe the Netherlands have a very strong team. And then there’s Ecuador, a side that’s not getting much attention right now."

Ecuador, who will face Germany in the group stage of the World Cup kicking off on June 11, could be a serious contender according to the Chelsea defender. Cucurella—whose controversial handball in extra time of Spain’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Germany went unpunished—added, "They have plenty of talented players. Many people underestimate them, but I’m convinced they’ll perform well. Though, I must admit, I hope they’re heading home early," he said with a smile, hinting at a possible knockout-stage encounter.

Currently led by Argentine coach Sebastián Beccacece, Ecuador began their 2026 South American World Cup qualifying campaign with a three-point deduction for submitting an incorrect birth certificate for a player during the 2022 qualifiers. Despite this setback, Ecuador qualified comfortably for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, finishing second behind world champions Argentina.

The Ecuadorians finished above Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay and even stunned Argentina with a 1-0 win last September. Their defensive record has been exemplary, conceding only five goals in 18 matches—the fewest in the region—and keeping 13 clean sheets.

Ecuador: Rock-solid defence, but is the attack too dependent on an ageing star?

Ecuador’s backline is one of its main strengths. Champions League winner Willian Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain, former Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, now with Arsenal, and Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez—who is drawing interest from several top European clubs—anchor a formidable defensive unit. In midfield, Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo, regarded as one of the Premier League’s top holding midfielders, orchestrates play from deep.

In contrast, Ecuador’s attack has struggled to deliver. The team managed just 14 goals during World Cup qualifying—less than one per match—highlighting their heavy reliance on 36-year-old striker Enner Valencia of CF Pachuca. The veteran forward, who previously played for West Ham United and Fenerbahce, scored six of those 14 goals and was also Ecuador’s top scorer at both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, netting three times in each tournament.

The responsibility to support Valencia primarily falls on Gonzalo Plata, the 25-year-old right winger currently with Flamengo in Brazil, who has impressed in recent friendlies. Additional attacking options include Nilson Angulo of AFC Sunderland, young Chelsea loanee Kendry Paez (currently at River Plate), and John Yeboah of Venezia FC. Yeboah, born in Hamburg and a product of VfL Wolfsburg’s youth academy, represented Germany’s youth teams up to the U20 level before switching to Ecuador through his mother’s heritage. He made his senior debut in early 2024 and contributed two assists in a 2-1 friendly win over Saudi Arabia last Saturday.

Ecuador: The only time they reached the World Cup knockout rounds, they faced Germany in the group stage.

Ecuador’s World Cup journey begins with a critical match against Ivory Coast on June 13, which could determine who finishes second behind group favourites Germany. A win against outsiders Curaçao on June 20 is crucial before Hincapie and his teammates take on Germany on June 25.

This will be Ecuador’s fifth World Cup appearance following campaigns in 2002, 2006, 2014, and 2022, and they are eager to reach the knockout stages for just the second time. History gives them some encouragement: in 2006, Ecuador finished behind Germany in their group before losing 0-3 to the hosts in the final match. In the round of 16, they pushed England hard before David Beckham’s free-kick sealed a 1-0 win for the Three Lions.