Profile
Prior to the 2002 World Cup, Ecuadorian football had left virtually no footprint on the dirt track that is world football.
But 12 years on, it is a country accustomed to reaching the tournament's group stages, although they missed out in 2010.
But there are veterans from the 2006 side in Brazil this summer. Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia was just 20 at that time and will captain the side this summer, while the likes Edison Mendez and Segundo Castillo remain in the picture, although there are plenty of fresh legs.
19-year-old centre-back Cristian Ramirez will also get covetous glances should he make it into the final 23-man squad which will take on France, Honduras and Switzerland.
Poignantly there is added motivation in 2014 following the untimely death of main striker Christian 'Chucho' Benitez, who played with Birmingham City at one time.
Ed Maylon of The Mirror previewed the South American contenders on Team 33:
Latest news and features
Are Ecuador the weakest of the South American contingent?
Why has Man United's Antonio Valencia been made Ecuador captain?
How are the South American World Cup teams shaping up?
Ex-Birmingham striker Benitez dies aged 27
World Cup Record
Appearances: 3
Best Result: Second Round (2006)
Squad
Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Adrian Bone (El Nacional)
Defenders: Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua, Oscar Bagui, Gabriel Achilier (all Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC)
Midfielders: Segundo Castillo (Al-Hilal), Carlos Gruezo (VfB Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe), Michael Arroyo (Atlante)
Forwards: Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Fidel Martinez, Jaime Ayovi (both Tijuana), Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
Manager: Reinaldo Rueda
Fixtures and Results
Group E
June 15 vs Switzerland (Brasilia) 2- 1 (L)
June 20 vs Honduras (Curitiba) 2 - 1 (W)
June 25 vs France (Rio de Janeiro)
