Overview
- Marcelo Gallardo was formally presented as Ecuador’s head coach and named his first squad before traveling to Asia for a series of friendlies.
- He led only one full-field training with the assembled players in Suwon before making his coaching debut for Ecuador on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
- Ecuador were beaten 3-0 by South Korea in Suwon, with goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min and Lee Dong-gyeong.
- Gallardo’s first squad omitted young midfielder Kendry Páez and lacked injured regulars Moisés Caicedo and Piero Hincapié, constraints that limited his selection and tactical options.
- The team remains on the Asia tour and will face Japan on October 1 and then New Zealand or Panama on October 5, fixtures Gallardo plans to use to reassess players and implement his 'protagonismo' style.