THE TRICOLORES GO TO THE WORLD CUP!
- Carolina Segarra
- Oct 15, 2022
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 26
By Carolina Segarra
More than a sport, football has become embedded in a nation that is moved by every goal, every match played, and every second that the players of the national team step onto the field. Ecuador has had the opportunity to be in three World Cups throughout their history, dating back to 1930. For the fourth time, Ecuador will send the best players from the national team to represent them during the matches scheduled in Qatar during the month of November. Ecuador’s coach, Gustavo Alfaro, has selected players who have debuted in international and national leagues with impeccable performances. The shirts are ready, the players are chosen, and our hearts are already in Qatar.
Soccer is in the air just days before Ecuador debuts in its fourth World Cup. The expectations of the national team have begun to be felt around every corner while fans prepare for the big event. Ecuador is getting ready for their last match in Madrid, against Iraq, before they arrive in Qatar. Unfortunately though, the news hasn’t been all positive surrounding Ecuador’s fourth World Cup. Controversies surrounding Ecuadorian soccer player Bryan Castillo reported that he was involved in a legal complaint filed by the Chilean Football Federation (FFCH) and the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), teams that were left out of the 2022 World Cup. In their multiple attempts to qualify, they decided to present alleged evidence before the Court of Sports Arbitration that affected the credibility of Castillo and Ecuador as a national team. He was reportedly accused of having a false Ecuadorian identity and altering his birthplace and year. The data was verified by FIFA, who ruled in favor of Castillo, which shut down the controversy and demonstrated that Castillo is an Ecuadorian citizen and not Colombian as was presumed.
