Thirty-six-year-old forward Enner Valencia has handed the Ecuador national team captain's armband to midfielder Moises Caicedo, just before their round of 16 match against Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.

Defeating group E leaders Germany, Ecuador secured one of the wild card spots for the best third-placed teams to advance to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Midfielder Ahmad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to help Ivory Coast defeat Ecuador one-nil in their opening Group E match at the 2026 World Cup on 14/6.