Scandal Hits Ecuador as Four Players Face World Cup Exclusion Over Off-Field Behavior

Ecuador may have secured its ticket to the 2026 World Cup, but tensions are brewing within the national team. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece is reportedly set to drop four players from the squad due to off-the-field misconduct, sending a strong message just under a year before the tournament begins.

The controversy centers on repeated incidents of indiscipline. Defender Robert Arboleda was already sidelined after being involved in a nightlife scandal during a U.S. training camp, alongside teammates Kendry Páez and Gonzalo Plata. While the latter two returned to the squad, Arboleda has remained excluded.

Joining him on the list are Carlos Gruezo, accused by local media of disrupting team harmony with negative behavior in the locker room; Michael Estrada, allegedly caught drinking alcohol on a team flight; and Jeremy Sarmiento, who reportedly fell out of favor after he and his father publicly criticized other players.

Although Ecuador has qualified, the campaign has been anything but smooth—scoring just 13 goals in 16 qualifiers. The reliance on Enner Valencia remains a concern, as does the lack of attacking fluidity. But now, Beccacece is shifting focus toward discipline and unity as he fine-tunes the group for the World Cup.

With matches against Paraguay and Argentina left in qualifying, and two more FIFA international windows before June 2026, Ecuador has time to prepare. But internal order, not just tactical planning, will be vital for any hopes of success on the world stage.