The Ecuador national team of football (Spanish Seleccion de Football of Ecuador) is the representative of Ecuador in the international soccer for men and is governed by the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF). The team became a member of FIFA in 1926, and CONMEBOL in 1927.
After denying an invitation to take part in the first FIFA World Cup held in Uruguay, Ecuador did not begin their participation until 2002. After finishing higher than Brazil as well as Uruguay in the rankings The qualifying tournament marked the debut of several players like Agustin Delgado Alex Aguinaga, Ivan Hurtado, Ulises de la Cruz and Ivan Kaviedes, who would provide the basis for Ecuador's success over the next decade. After reaching the round of 16, in an unforgettable year in 2006 World Cup campaign, they were expected to do well in the 2007 Copa America but were eliminated at the first round. Together with Venezuela the team has not won the tournament in the continental level. La Tri's most impressive performance was fourth place in 1989 in 1993 and 1959, both at home.
Ecuador is home to most of their home matches in the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in Quito. It was planned to be demolished by the end of 2020 in order to create an updated, modern venue.
