# South Korea‑Ecuador football friendlies 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-koreaecuador-football-friendlies-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-06T16:01:38.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 3. In early August 2026, the Korea Football Association announced that the South Korea men’s national team will host two home friendlies in September, playing Ecuador on 24 September and Uruguay on 28 September as part of the FIFA A‑match window. The announcement also noted that the team is without a permanent head coach following Hong Myung‑bo’s resignation, with an interim coach to be appointed for the upcoming matches. The following day, the Ecuadorian Football Federation confirmed its Asian tour, which begins with the scheduled match against South Korea in Suwon on 24 September. After the South Korean friendly, Ecuador will travel to Japan to compete in the Kirin Challenge Cup from 1–5 October, joining Japan, Panama and New Zealand. Ecuador is also in the process of appointing a new head coach after Sebastián Beccacece’s departure. Both nations view the friendlies as preparation for upcoming continental competitions and the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign. Ecuador’s football calendar also includes domestic action: five clubs have reached the quarter‑finals of the 2026 Copa Ecuador, and Emelec have bolstered their squad with midfielder Jefferson Valverde and striker Ronie Carrillo. The national‑team preparations continue alongside these club developments. ## Claims - Atlético Madrid prepared a €30‑40 million offer for defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Jefferson Valverde transferred from Delfín to Emelec. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Eduardo Bores transferred from Independiente del Valle to Emelec. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Emelec signed forward Ronie Carrillo. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kang‑in Lee’s transfer to Atlético Madrid is delayed by South Korean military‑service paperwork. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Atlético Madrid prepared an offer of €30‑40 million for Cristian “Cuti” Romero. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ronie Carrillo signed for Emelec from Mushuc Runa, rejecting a Saudi Arabian offer. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ecuador will take part in a friendly tournament in Japan on 1 and 5 October 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Japan tournament will also feature the national teams of Japan, Panama and New Zealand. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ecuador will play a friendly against South Korea on 24 September 2026 in Suwon. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Emelec reduced its FIFA sanctions to a single remaining restriction on 4 August 2024. (single source) - The remaining FIFA sanction concerns obligations to the technical staff led by coach Leonel Álvarez. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: Ecuador football team to face South Korea and play in Japan's Kirin Challenge Cup Ecuador will play South Korea in a friendly on 24 Sept in Suwon and compete in Japan's Kirin Challenge Cup from 1‑5 Oct 2026, facing Japan, Panama and New Zealand as part of its Asian preparation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-football-team-to-face-south-korea-and-play-in-japans-kirin-challenge-cup ### 2026-08-05: South Korea men's football team to host Ecuador and Uruguay in September South Korea's men's team will host Ecuador (Sept 24) and Uruguay (Sept 28) in friendlies, with October matches versus Venezuela and Uzbekistan, while a temporary coach is being recruited after Hong Myung‑bo's 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-mens-football-team-to-host-ecuador-and-uruguay-in-september ### 2026-08-04: Ecuador football eyes Japan friendly and Copa Ecuador quarter‑finals Ecuador clubs qualify for Copa Ecuador quarters; Emelec signs Valverde and Carrillo (who rejected Saudi offer); national team heads to Japan tournament in October and a Korea friendly in September. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emelec-cuts-fifa-sanction-to-one-and-adds-new-signings-including-jefferson-valverde --- Cite as: South Korea‑Ecuador football friendlies 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-koreaecuador-football-friendlies-2026