Overview
Ecuador is in relatively good form in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. In the last 5 matches, Ecuador has an unbeaten record, bringing home 11/15 maximum points and not conceding any.
More broadly, their defense has only scored 4 goals after 12 matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This is the best achievement in South America. The defense is a big support for Ecuador, with players in high form such as Brighton's Estupinan and especially William Pacho of PSG.
However, they will be without an important pillar, Piero Hincapie, in this match. The Bayer Leverkusen center back was sent to a direct red card in the most recent match against Colombia.
Meanwhile, Venezuela is going through a disappointing streak of form. They have had 6 consecutive matches without knowing the taste of victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America.
In the friendly match with the US team in early 2025, Venezuela also lost 1-3 to the US team. Venezuela's defense has conceded 15 goals in 12 matches, a number only behind Chile (20 goals) and Bolivia (27 goals).
In the most recent meeting in Copa America, Venezuela surprisingly won 2-1. However, that was also the match in which Ecuador lost a man in the 22nd minute with a red card from Enner Valencia.
In this rematch, the solidity of the defense and home advantage will be the fulcrum to help Ecuador win all 3 points.
Personnel situation
Ecuador cannot call up Jhoanner Chavez, Angelo Preciado, Alan Minda and Leonardo Campana due to injury. Enner Valencia will wear the equator captain's armband against Venezuela.
On the other side of the front line, the away team is missing the defender duo Yordan Osorio and Miguel Navarro, both of whom are out due to injury. Wilker Angel and Jon Aramburu will be banned from playing for 1 match after receiving 2 yellow cards in Venezuela's qualifying campaign.
Expected lineup:
Ecuador: Galindez, Ordonez, Pacho, Torres, Estupinan, Yeboah, Caicedo, Franco, Vite, Plate, Valencia.
Venezuela: Romo, Gonzalez, Angel, Ramirez, Rivas, Herrera, Martinez, Soteldo, Savarino, Segovia, Rondon.
The match between Ecuador and Venezuela takes place at 4:00 a.m. on March 22 (Vietnam time).
