Ecuador Predicted Lineup vs Qatar: Alleged Bribes, Injuries and Goal Droughts

The first game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup sees Ecuador take on host nation Qatar on Sunday, November 20, in Group A. This is probably the most anticipated game, if not the most important, in la Federacion Ecuatoriana de Futbol’s (FEF) history. The eyes of the world will be on Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man squad after an eight-year absence. As the opener, the match will surely be viewed by billions of people. There are injuries to consider when looking at the Ecuador predicted lineup, including in midfield, and an alarming goal drought at international level for their captain and star striker Enner Valencia.

Ecuador’s mostly-young squad will be under even more scrutiny than usual for a tournament opener, as the intrigue around the supposed bribe of eight players being paid $7.4 million to lose the first match to Qatar shook the footballing world just two days ago. Under that lens, the lineup that Alfaro picks – will hold that much more importance.

Ecuador Predicted Lineup vs Qatar in World Cup Opener

🔥 Aquí están los 26 jugadores elegidos por el DT #GustavoAlfaro para jugar la @fifaworldcup_es, estamos listos para hacer historia @PilsenerEcuador

❤️ ¡Un solo latido que representa a 18 millones de ecuatorianos! #HaremosHistoria pic.twitter.com/xy1grHHBAc

— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) November 14, 2022

Ecuador’s Tactical Flexibility Could Help Them Reach the Last 16

Ecuador has lined up in a 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 in CONMEBOL qualifiers and friendlies in the run-up to Qatar 2022. Depending on the opposition, Alfaro has moved between the two systems in an attempt at exploiting the rivals’ weaknesses. Against the host nation, however, expect Ecuador to come out looking for goals. This victory is pivotal if Ecuador has any hopes of making the second round. For this reason, it’s a safe bet that they’ll line up in an attacking 4-3-3. Ecuador’s young core of starlets, the third-youngest team at Qatar 2022, is the gas that propels La Tri. As such, Alfaro will probably risk lining up with Carlos Gruezo as his only holding midfielder to get more attacking punch in the side. This is despite the Augsburg man being in a battle against time to be fit and recover from a thigh injury.

Ecuador’s Recent Form and Tactics

Ecuador is unbeaten in its last seven matches in all competitions. The defence has been the bedrock of the side and has only allowed one goal, to Leo Messi’s Argentina, during that stretch. The problem is, they haven’t scored much either. Captain Valencia, who is Ecuador’s all-time goal leader at this World Cup, is going through a torrid drought at the international level. His last goal for Ecuador came in March and missed a chance to get himself back among the goals with a missed penalty in a friendly against Japan. The good news is that their captain is in the best form of his Fenerbahce career, bagging 13 goals and four assists in only 12 league matches.

The big question mark for Alfaro will be who his third midfielder will be. During qualifying, the Argentinian tactician used a rotating cast of Alan Franco, and recent MLS champions, Jhegson Mendez and Jose Cifuentes. On form, Cifuentes would seem to get the nod here, as he was crucial to his team’s championship run. If he can continue to perform at his playoff level, he might just be Ecuador’s X-factor and have 18 million Ecuadorians dreaming.

🥰🔥🇪🇨 https://t.co/LUCQ0uCYqz

— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) November 19, 2022

Ecuador Injuries to Consider

As mentioned previously, midfielder Gruezo came into the Qatar camp carrying a thigh injury. The Bundesliga man was forced to leave his team’s previous match after just 30 minutes. If Gruezo is in fact not ready for Ecuador’s World Cup opener, look for Cifuentes and Mendez to jump straight into the midfield. Although he is most likely not in the starting 11, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jeremy Sarmiento is also dealing with a minor muscle issue.