Ecuador returned to football’s biggest stage for their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to make a lasting impact in the 2026 tournament. La Tri secured their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 through a strong qualifying campaign in South America, once again proving they can compete with the continent’s traditional heavyweights.
Known for their energetic style, talented young players, and growing experience at the highest level, Ecuador will travel to the United States, Canada, and Mexico determined to build on their previous World Cup campaigns and challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.
Before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across North America, let’s take a look at some of the most important FIFA World Cup records, milestones, and statistics in Ecuador’s history.
Note: All the records are till FIFA World Cup 2022
(Team Records)
Contents
Brief records
Hosts
Best Result
Final place in every edition
Last records
Match records (Top 3)
> Biggest winning margin
> Biggest losing margin
Ecuador’s brief records in FIFA World Cup history
Participation | Matches | Won | Drawn* | Penalty shootout | Lost | Winning %* | |
Won | Lost | ||||||
4/22 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 22.72% |
(Drawn: including penalty shootout matches; Winning %: excluding penalty shootouts)
Hosts: Never
Best Result: Round of 16 (2006)
Ecuador’s final place in every FIFA World Cup
Year | Host(s) | Last position |
1930 | Uruguay | Did not enter |
1934 | Italy | Did not enter |
1938 | France | Did not enter |
1950 | Brazil | Withdrew |
1954 | Switzerland | Did not enter |
1958 | Sweden | Did not enter |
1962 | Chile | Did not qualify |
1966 | England | Did not qualify |
1970 | Mexico | Did not qualify |
1974 | West Germany | Did not qualify |
1978 | Argentina | Did not qualify |
1982 | Spain | Did not qualify |
1986 | Mexico | Did not qualify |
1990 | Italy | Did not qualify |
1994 | USA | Did not qualify |
1998 | France | Did not qualify |
2002 | South Korea & Japan | Group Stage |
2006 | Germany | Round of 16 |
2010 | South Africa | Did not qualify |
2014 | Brazil | Group Stage |
2018 | Russia | Did not qualify |
2022 | Qatar | Group Stage |
Last time in FIFA World Cup for Ecuador
Last Round of 16 exit: 2006
Last Group Stage exit: 2022
Last Failed to Qualify: 2018
Ecuador’s match records in FIFA World Cup (Top 3)
Biggest winning margin | Biggest losing margin |
3-0 vs Costa Rica in 2006 | 3-0 vs Germany in 2006 |
2-0 vs Poland in 2006 | 2-0 vs Italy in 2002 |
2-0 vs Qatar in 2022 | 2-1 vs Mexico in 2002 |
(Players’ Records)
Contents
Most FIFA World Cup editions
Top 5 most appearances
Top 5 most goals
Most FIFA World Cup editions for Ecuador
Édison Méndez played in three different FIFA World Cup editions (2002, 2006 and 2014).
Top 5 most appearances for Ecuador in FIFA World Cup
Player | Appearances |
Édison Méndez | 8 |
Ulises de la Cruz | 7 |
Antonio Valencia | 7 |
Agustín Delgado | 6 |
Iván Hurtado | 6 |
