News

Ecuador set for place at the World Cup

Decision made by FIFA on Friday to allow La Tri to participate in this winter's tournament.

By Charlie Hanson • 17 September 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento will be hoping to secure their place in the Ecuador squad for the World Cup.

Ecuador internationals Mosies Caicedo, Pervis Estupinan and Jeremy Sarmiento took a big step forward to World Cup action this winter after their country’s place in the tournament was confirmed off the pitch.

FIFA dismissed a claim of ineligibility against Ecuador player Byron Castillo, after the Chile and Peru football associations lodged appeals in June.

The world’s football governing body added, “the present decision remains subject to an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

During the upcoming international break, La Tri take on Saudi Arabia and Kaoru Mitoma’s Japan, with Albion’s no.22 also called up to face the USA.

Alexis Mac Allister will be looking to carry his goalscoring form for Albion into Argentina’s matches against Honduras and Jamaica, while Julio Enciso’s Paraguay look forward to games against UAE and Morocco.

Tariq Lamptey could make his debut for Ghana after declaring allegiance to the Black Stars last month. He will no doubt be relishing the opportunity to make his first Ghana appearance against Brazil, who they face on Friday 23 September, before taking on Nicaragua.

Sticking with our African players, Enock Mwepu will captain Zambia against former Albion man Yves Bissouma’s Mali twice during the break.

Rob Sanchez’s stock couldn’t be higher heading into an international break after Albion’s brilliant start to the campaign and he will be hoping to add to his one senior cap for Spain with games against Switzerland and Portugal in the Nations League.

Belgium warm-up for the World Cup with games against Wales and the Netherlands, with Leo Trossard netting three times in five outings for his country in 2022  

New boy Billy Gilmour goes off with Scotland to face Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland.

Heading off with their country at youth level are:

  • James Beadle – England Under-19s
  • Levi Colwill – England Under-21s
  • Evan Ferguson – Republic of Ireland Under-21s
  • Ruari McConville – Northern Ireland Under-19s
  • Ed Turns – Wales Under-21s