Ecuador's national football team, known as La Tri, will embark on a tour of three friendly matches in Asia during the September FIFA window. The debut of new head coach Marcelo Gallardo will come on September 24 against South Korea at 06:00 Ecuador time.

The team, currently sitting third in the World Cup standings with 4 points from three games, is looking to regain consistency after a recent run of two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their last five outings. This Asian tour includes participation in the 2026 Kirin Cup, to be held in Japan from October 1 to 5. Ecuador returns to this tournament after 31 years. Their only previous participation was in 1995 under coach Francisco Maturana, where they finished last after losses to Scotland and Japan.

The tour schedule

The first match, against South Korea, will serve as Gallardo's official debut in charge. After that game, La Tri will travel to Japan to face the host nation on October 1. The result of that clash will determine whether they play the final or the third-place playoff on October 5, against either New Zealand or Panama, the other two participants in the four-team event.

In goal are Hernán Galíndez, Gonzalo Valle, and Moisés Ramírez. The defense features established names like Pervis Estupiñán, Félix Torres, and Willian Pacho, alongside Ángelo Preciado and Jackson Porozo. The midfield includes Alan Franco, Pedro Vite, and Jordy Alcívar, while the attack will be led by Gonzalo Plata, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Kevin Rodríguez. Fans can view the full squad composition on our squad page.

Context and broadcast

This trip follows Ecuador's last defeat, a 2-0 loss to Mexico in July, and precedes a key phase of World Cup qualification. The matches represent an important test for a group aiming to cement itself among the best in its confederation. Regarding coverage, it has been confirmed that the match against South Korea will be broadcast by KBS via YouTube, though an official channel for transmission within Ecuador has not yet been confirmed. The team is in a period of renewal, and these games will offer clues about the path Gallardo will chart, with his contract running through the end of the World Cup cycle.

Read the full report at El Universo Deportes