Ecuador national football team at the 2006 Football World Cup

by user Bobo

La Tricolor have only yet appeared in one World Cup, their debut coming in the previous competition, but they went out in the first round, despite achieving an impressive victory against Croatia in Yokohama, being ahead in their game against Mexico and putting up a valiant effort against Italy.

The South American team haven't progressed further than the first round of the Copa América since 1997, but their quarter final appearance nine years ago, was a very impressive thing to watch and to be a part of. In the same way as the passion for most of South America shows through in their football, so the same can be said for Ecuador.

The Ecuadorians, however, have to navigate a tricky Group A which includes Germany. However, so long as they can outrank Poland, they stand a good chance of going through as second-place finishers, before facing either England or Sweden in the next round. An unenviable task. Last World Cup they finished bottom of their group, but there's a good chance for a better record this time.