News, goals, and analysis – only on the official A BOLA app. World Cup Moises Caicedo, Chelsea star, is the new captain of the Ecuador national team, succeeding Enner Valencia, who abdicated the position during the World Cup. The change was made official in an emotional ceremony, where Valencia was present, confirming that the midfielder will wear the armband for the remaining matches of the team in the competition. The Ecuadorian national team, coached by Sebastian Beccacece, is now preparing to face host Mexico in the Round of 16, after securing qualification as the third-placed team in Group E. The decisive match will be played in Mexico City on Tuesday night. If Ecuador wins against Mexico, they could face England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarter-finals. Ecuador’s journey in the group stage was dramatic. The team was at risk of elimination after earning only one point in their first two matches, suffering a 0-1 defeat against Ivory Coast and a goalless draw with Curacao. However, a 2-1 victory over Germany in the final match secured their passage to the knockout stage. It was precisely in that match against the Germans that Caicedo wore the captain’s armband for the first time in this World Cup. Both he and Enner Valencia were starters in all three group stage matches, although Valencia has yet to score in the tournament. At 24 years old, Moises Caicedo already has experience as a captain. For Chelsea, he wore the armband twice in the Premier League last season, in losses against Manchester United and Manchester City in April. He was also captain in the victory over Cardiff City in the quarter-finals of the English League Cup and in the win against Charlton Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup. For the national team, he had previously been captain in a friendly against New Zealand in November 2025.
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