Ecuador will put its young generation to the test at Copa América 2024

SEATTLE - Just like the Andean condor, the Ecuadorian national team has been on the rise for a few years already.

A quarterfinal loss to Argentina at Copa América 2021 was followed by the return of Ecuador to the World Cup in 2022 and now, almost two years later, 'La Tricolor' has the perfect opportunity to keep on gaining experience ahead of a complicated 2026 World Cup cycle.

The emergence of young talents such as Moisés Caicedo, Piero Hincapié, Kendry Paez and William Pacho gives Ecuador a hopeful chance of making some noise at Copa América 2024, where they will share Group B with Mexico, Jamaica and Venezuela.

Since Félix Sánchez took over as manager, Ecuador has won nine of its 15 games under the Spaniard. Although 'La Tri' has lost four matches since Sánchez became the national team coach, the only South American to defeat Ecuador has been the reigning Copa América and world champions Argentina.

Besides its two losses against Argentina, Ecuador is unbeaten under Sánchez against teams that will compete at this year's Copa América (6-0-2), including important wins against Chile and Uruguay.

Ecuador's Copa América quick facts

Group: B

Best result: fourth place (twice); has only gotten out of the group stage three times since finishing fourth at Copa América 1993.

Coach: Félix Sánchez (appointed March 2023); 9-4-2 W-L-D record.

All-time Ecuadorian top scorer in Copa América: Carlos Alberto Raffo (8 goals).

Where is Ecuador playing?

Ecuador will open Copa América 2024 with a match against Venezuela at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. 'La Tri' will then travel to Las Vegas to play one of the three Copa América games set to take place at "Sin City." An expected sell-out crowd will fill State Farm Stadium on June 30 as Ecuador closes the group stage against Mexico in Glendale.

June 22: Ecuador vs Venezuela - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

June 26: Ecuador vs Jamaica - Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

June 30: Mexico vs Ecuador - State Farm Stadium, Glendale

26-man list for Copa América

Goalkeepers: Hernán Galíndez (Huracán), Alexander Domínguez (Liga de Quito), Moises Ramírez (Independiente del Valle)

Defenders: Piero Hincapié (Bayer Leverkusen), William Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt), Félix Torres (Corinthians), Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge), Andrés Micolta (Pachuca), Jackson Porozo (Troyes), Layan Loor (CD Universidad Catolica), José Hurtado (RB Bragantino), Angelo Preciado (Sparta Prague)

Midfielders: Carlos Gruezo (San Jose Earthquakes), Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro), José Cifuentes (Cruzeiro), Joao Ortiz (Independiente del Valle), Kendry Paez (Independiente del Valle), Jeremy Sarmiento (Ipswich Town), John Yeboah (Rakow Czestochowa), Ángel Mena (Leon), Alan Minda (Cercle Bruges), Janner Corozo (Barcelona SC)

Forwards: Enner Valencia (Internacional), Kevin Rodríguez (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Jordy Caicedo (Atlas)

Notable absence

Pervis Estupiñán

The Brighton fullback will miss Copa América 2024 due to an injury he picked up for the Premier League side back in April. After a fantastic 2022-23 season, the Ecuadorian managed to play less than 2,000 minutes for Brighton this season.

In total, Estupiñán missed more than 25 games in all competitions and the last time he played for Ecuador was in a 2-0 defeat against Italy in March.

Player to watch

Moisés Caicedo

After a shaky start, Moisés Caicedo returned to his best form during the second half of the season as Chelsea's main man in midfield. With Enzo Fernández, the South American duo formed a solid partnership in the middle of the park for Mauricio Pochettino's team as they only lost three Premier League games since the start of 2024.

The Ecuadorian started 33 of his team's 38 PL games this season and closed the campaign with an incredible strike against Bournemouth from his own half.

He led all Chelsea players in tackles, blocks, finished second in interceptions and only Connor Gallagher played more minutes than Caicedo in the league.