World Cup

Brighton & Hove Albion trio feature in Ecuador World Cup squad

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 15 November 2022

Brighton trio feature in Ecuador World Cup squad

Gustavo Alfaro confirms his Ecuador squad for the World Cup, selecting three Brighton & Hove Albion players among his 26-player group.

Ecuador boss Gustavo Alfaro has selected three Brighton & Hove Albion players in his 26-player squad for the World Cup.

Moises Caicedo is the standout name for the South American nation after recently emerging as one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.

However, Pervis Estupinan and Jeremy Sarimento also takes their spots on the plane to Qatar and will hope to make an impact.

The nation's record goalscorer and captain Enner Valencia, who has netted 35 times in 74 appearances, stands to lead from the front.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo celebrates scoring their second goal on September 4, 2022 © Reuters

There are two representatives from Bundesliga clubs with Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and Augsburg midfielder Carlos Gruezo being selected.

Defender Byron Castillo has missed out, however, with an injury combining with an issue over his citizenship.

Four players, including veteran goalkeepers Alexander Dominguez and Hernan Galindez, have been picked from Ecuadorian teams, and another quartet link up with their international teammates from Mexican sides.

Ecuador have been drawn in a group alongside Netherlands, Senegal and Qatar, with their opening fixture against the latter also being the first game of the tournament.

Goalkeepers: Alexander Dominguez (Deportes Tolima), Hernan Galindez (Aucas), Moises Ramirez (Independiente)

Defenders: Robert Arboleda (Sao Paulo), Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders), Pervis Estupinan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen), William Pacho (Royal Antwerp), Diego Palacios (LAFC), Jackson Porozo (Troyes), Angelo Preciado (Genk), Felix Torres (Santos Laguna)

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jose Cifuentes (LAFC), Alan Franco (Talleres), Carlos Grueso (Augsburg), Jhegson Mendez (LAFC), Ayrton Preciado (Santos Laguna), Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Michael Estrada (Cruz Azul), Romario Ibarra (Pachuca), Angel Mena (Club Leon), Gonzalo Plata (Real Valladolid), Djorkaeff Reasco (Newell's Old Boys), Kevin Rodriguez (Imbabura SC), Enner Valencia (Fenerbahce)