Ecuador football team eyes coach Luis Zubeldía and emerging stars

The Ecuadorian Football Federation is searching for a new head coach after the departure of Gustavo Alfaro. Former Liga de Quito and Barcelona SC manager Luis Zubeldía, who led LDU Quito to the 2023 Copa Sudamericana and LigaPro titles, has emerged as a leading candidate. The federation intends to make a coaching appointment in August to have the new manager in place for the FIFA international windows in September and October.

Meanwhile, the national squad’s core group of players such as Moisés Caicedo, William Pacho, Piero Hincapié, Gonzalo Plata and Joel Ordóñez remains intact, while a wave of young talents is gaining attention. Defenders Josué Caicedo (FC Barcelona), Deinner Ordóñez (Chelsea) and Virgilio Oyola (Bayern Munich), midfielder Adrián Cuadrado (FC Barcelona), the Quintero twins (Arsenal) and forward Justin Lerma (Borussia Dortmund) are highlighted as prospects for the 2030 World Cup cycle.