2026 World Cup: Beccacece says goodbye to Ecuador with his head held high after last-16 exit

2026 World Cup: Beccacece steps down after Ecuador’s exit against Mexico

Sebastian Beccacece is no longer Ecuador’s head coach. The Argentine announced his departure in the mixed zone on Tuesday night, just minutes after Ecuador were knocked out in the last 16 by Mexico (0-2). In charge since August 2024, Beccacece walks away with a measure of calm despite the pain of elimination. “I’d have loved to carry on, to win one more match today. That’s football: only results matter. I have to say goodbye to a wonderful family, but I do so with a lot of gratitude and a clear conscience, knowing we gave everything,” he told DSports.

Even so, Beccacece’s record stacks up well when you look at what he managed in less than a year in the Ecuador dugout. The former assistant to Jorge Sampaoli guided the side to the World Cup and took them beyond the group stage for only the second time in their history. To get there, Ecuador pulled off a major shock by beating Germany in the group phase. Their run came to a stop in the last 16 against Mexico, who were on top from start to finish, but that does not wipe out the key work that has been done.

A positive legacy despite an early finish

At 45, Beccacece leaves behind an Ecuador side that has moved forward on the international stage. His ability to qualify a modest national team for the World Cup and steer it through the first round deserves credit in a fiercely competitive South American landscape. Ecuador also showed flashes in the group stage, especially against Germany, even if the performance level simply was not there against Mexico.

The Ecuadorian federation must now find a replacement to reboot a project that still looks full of promise. Beccacece, meanwhile, heads off with his head high and a clear conscience, knowing he gave everything with the tools at his disposal. The World Cup adventure ends in the last 16, but it leaves a solid platform for Ecuadorian football to build on.

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