Mexico (AFP) – Neither the height of the Mexican capital nor the packed Azteca stadium should be an excuse in the fight for the dreamed passage to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Mexico, Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccaceche said this Monday.
First modification: 06/30/2026 – 16:12
1 minute Reading time
The Three, playing as hosts at the World Cup, did not concede a single goal in the group stage and are confident that their home team will meet Ecuador in one of the next matches of the 1/16 finals.
“They have great strength in this mythical, historic stadium,” the Argentine coach said at a news conference, calling the match “a great challenge and a great responsibility.”
And although Ecuadorians are accustomed to heights, the height of the capital at 2240 meters above sea level is always a test for the opponent.
“We make no complaints or excuses,” Beccacece said, stressing that they will come out to play their game “beyond the stage and the opponent.”
Ecuador will take to the field strengthened after quashing criticism over dry starts against Curacao and Ivory Coast, which they then turned around on a high note with a 2-1 win over Germany, an epic contest that sent them into the mata-mata rounds.
“We are a team that has taken an important step. After twenty years, we are entering the fourth match again and we want to make history by playing the fifth match for the first time and that is our dream,” the coach said.
After landing in the afternoon, Ecuador found Mexico City mired in chaotic traffic and heavy rain, delaying the players’ transfer to the hotel by nearly three hours.
© 2026 AFP