La Tri had no project and no clear path, so its 2026 World Cup run can’t even be called a failure, according to Carlos Tenorio, president of the Ecuadorian Footballers’ Association (AFE). Speaking at a Thursday panel in Quito titled “La Tri en el Mundial: ¿fracaso o proceso?”, the former striker slammed the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) for failing to deliver a long-term sporting plan and questioned why its leaders refuse to step aside.

What did Tenorio say?

Tenorio made it plain: the problem isn’t the players-it’s the leadership. “If there’s no project, there’s no failure”, he told the audience. He stressed that the FEF has never presented a project and accused its bosses of clinging to power. “Those with a real project are the ones who believe the focus shouldn’t be on us, but on the project”, he said.

He also dismissed talk of a “golden generation”. After the 2-0 loss to Mexico on 1 July 2026, Tenorio insisted the squad isn’t there yet. “To me it’s not golden. We should be proud of this crop, but it’s not golden”, he argued. His core demand: higher standards. “If we keep celebrating beating Germany as historic, that’s mediocrity talking”, he warned.

Why this matters for Ecuador

The absence of a sporting roadmap cuts deeper than results. Tenorio argued that without a clear plan, La Tri will keep drifting. “We have to make them grow up”, he said, urging the players to be treated as established stars, not prospects. His call includes tougher demands, especially after a recent run of 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss in their last five games.

The ex-striker also took aim at the federation’s bosses. “Not everyone dares to step aside”, he noted, insisting serious projects require bold changes. For Tenorio, La Tri’s future hinges on building a lasting foundation beyond names or short-term wins.

What’s next for the national team?

Tenorio’s message was blunt: stop slapping the “golden generation” label on the team and start demanding more. “Are we going to keep treating them like a senior side or like kids?”, he asked, urging the players to own their roles in the full national team.

Meanwhile, the FEF faces growing heat over its management. The debate over long-term planning has intensified after La Tri’s group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup. Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 on 1 July 2026-the latest in a string of uneven displays. The question now is whether the federation will heed the warnings or repeat its mistakes.