Mexico and Ecuador meet in the World Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday, with a place in the Round of 16 up for grabs.
El Tri advanced to the knockout stages after finishing top of Group A, giving the co-hosts a chance to continue their run in front of a passionate home support.
Ecuador progressed from Group E and now face a major test against one of the tournament hosts in a knockout-stage setting.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news, injuries and projected starting lineups for both sides ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
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Mexico projected starting 11
(4-3-3, right to left): L. Rangel (GK) — J. Sanchez, E. Alvarez, J. Vasquez, J. Gallardo — L. Romo, E. Lira, E. Gutierrez — R. Alvarado, R. Jimenez, J. Quinones
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
Mexico are expected to recall several key players after rotating their squad for the 3-0 win over Czechia, having already secured top spot in Group A.
Raul Jimenez should return to lead the line, with Erik Lira also expected to come back into midfield alongside Luis Romo and Erick Gutierrez.
Gilberto Mora made his first World Cup start against Czechia at just 17 years old, but he is expected to return to the bench for the Round of 32. Julian Quinones should keep his place on the left after scoring twice during the tournament.
MORE: Ranking remaining World Cup teams 1-32
Ecuador projected starting 11
(4-4-2, right to left): H. Galindez (GK) — A. Franco, J. Ordonez, W. Pacho, P. Hincapie — J. Yeboah, M. Caicedo, P. Vite, K. Angulo — G. Plata, E. Valencia
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
Ecuador are expected to name an unchanged lineup after securing their place in the Round of 32 with a 2-1 victory over Germany in their final group-stage match.
Head coach Sebastian Beccacece has no major injury concerns, with Moises Caicedo set to captain the side once again alongside Pedro Vite in central midfield.
Joel Ordonez and William Pacho should continue their partnership in central defence, while Gonzalo Plata and veteran striker Enner Valencia are expected to lead the attack as Ecuador look to upset the Group A winners.
Mexico vs. Ecuador prediction, betting odds
This has the potential to be one of the closest ties in the Round of 32. Mexico topped Group A and should benefit from having several key players well rested, while Ecuador arrive full of confidence after defeating Germany to secure their place in the knockout stages.
With Caicedo controlling the midfield and Valencia leading Ecuador’s attack, Mexico will need to be at their best. However, home support and the return of Jimenez give El Tri a slight edge in what should be a tightly contested encounter.
- Score prediction: Mexico 2-1 Ecuador
Mexico vs. Ecuador World Cup rosters
Here are the players selected in Mexico and Ecuador’s squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All ages, clubs and international caps are correct as of the squads being announced in May 2026.
Mexico World Cup roster
MORE: A complete breakdown of Mexico’s 2026 World Cup squad
Head coach: Javier Aguirre
| Pos | No. | Name | Club | Caps |
| GK | 12 | Carlos Acevedo | Santos Laguna (Liga MX, Mexico) | 6 |
| GK | 13 | Guillermo Ochoa | AEL Limassol (First League, Cyprus) | 151 |
| GK | 1 | Raul Rangel | Guadalajara (Liga MX, Mexico) | 11 |
| DEF | 20 | Mateo Chavez | AZ Alkmaar (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 9 |
| DEF | 23 | Jesus Gallardo | Toluca (Liga MX, Mexico) | 151 |
| DEF | 3 | Cesar Montes | Lokomotiv Moscow (Premier League, Russia) | 65 |
| DEF | 15 | Israel Reyes | Club America (Liga MX, Mexico) | 31 |
| DEF | 2 | Jorge Sanchez | PAOK (Super League, Greece) | 56 |
| DEF | 5 | Johan Vasquez | Genoa (Serie A, Italy) | 44 |
| MID | 25 | Roberto Alvarado | Guadalajara (Liga MX, Mexico) | 65 |
| MID | 4 | Edson Alvarez | Fenerbahce (Super Lig, Turkey) | 95 |
| MID | 24 | Luis Chavez | Dynamo Moscow (Premier League, Russia) | 42 |
| MID | 8 | Alvaro Fidalgo | Real Betis (La Liga, Spain) | 3 |
| MID | 26 | Brian Gutierrez | Guadalajara (Liga MX, Mexico) | 5 |
| MID | 6 | Erik Lira | Cruz Azul (Liga MX, Mexico) | 22 |
| MID | 19 | Gilberto Mora | Tijuana (Liga MX, Mexico) | 7 |
| MID | 17 | Orbelin Pineda | AEK Athens (Super League, Greece) | 90 |
| MID | 7 | Luis Romo | Guadalajara (Liga MX, Mexico) | 62 |
| MID | 18 | Obed Vargas | Atletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 6 |
| FWD | 11 | Santiago Gimenez | AC Milan (Serie A, Italy) | 46 |
| FWD | 14 | Armando Gonzalez | Guadalajara (Liga MX, Mexico) | 7 |
| FWD | 21 | Cesar Huerta | Anderlecht (Pro League, Belgium) | 25 |
| FWD | 9 | Raul Jimenez | Fulham (Premier League, England) | 123 |
| FWD | 22 | Guillermo Martinez | UNAM Pumas (Liga MX, Mexico) | 22 |
| FWD | 16 | Julian Quinones | Al Qadisah (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) | 20 |
| FWD | 10 | Alexis Vega | Toluca (Liga MX, Mexico) | 49 |
Ecuador World Cup roster
Head coach: Sebastian Beccacece
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Hernan Galindez | Huracan (Primera Division, Argentina) | 39 | 34 |
| GK | 12 | Moises Ramirez | Kifisia (Super League, Greece) | 25 | 7 |
| GK | 22 | Gonzalo Valle | LDU Quito (Serie A, Ecuador) | 30 | 3 |
| DEF | 7 | Pervis Estupinan | AC Milan (Serie A, Italy) | 28 | 53 |
| DEF | 3 | Piero Hincapie | Arsenal (Premier League, England) | 24 | 51 |
| DEF | 4 | Joel Ordonez | Club Brugge (Pro League, Belgium) | 22 | 16 |
| DEF | 6 | Willian Pacho | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 24 | 34 |
| DEF | 25 | Jackson Porozo | Tijuana (Liga MX, Mexico) | 25 | 9 |
| DEF | 17 | Angelo Preciado | Atletico Mineiro (Serie A, Brazil) | 28 | 54 |
| DEF | 2 | Felix Torres | Internacional (Serie A, Brazil) | 29 | 48 |
| MID | 5 | Jordy Alcivar | Indepentiente del Valle (Serie A, Ecuador) | 26 | 10 |
| MID | 23 | Moises Caicedo | Chelsea (Premier League, England) | 24 | 60 |
| MID | 18 | Denil Castillo | Midtjylland (Superliga, Denmark) | 22 | 5 |
| MID | 21 | Alan Franco | Atletico Mineiro (Serie A, Brazil) | 27 | 57 |
| MID | 26 | Yaimar Medina | Genk (Pro League, Belgium) | 21 | 5 |
| MID | 14 | Alan Minda | Atletico Mineiro (Serie A, Brazil) | 23 | 19 |
| MID | 10 | Kendry Paez | River Plate (Primera Division, Argentina) | 19 | 25 |
| MID | 19 | Gonzalo Plata | Flamengo (Serie A, Brazil) | 25 | 49 |
| MID | 8 | Anthony Valencia | Royal Antwerp (Pro League, Belgium) | 22 | 2 |
| MID | 15 | Pedro Vite | UNAM Pumas (Liga MX, Mexico) | 24 | 16 |
| MID | 9 | John Yeboah | Venezia (Serie B, Italy) | 25 | 22 |
| FWD | 20 | Nilson Angulo | Sunderland (Premier League, England) | 22 | 13 |
| FWD | 24 | Jeremy Arevalo | VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) | 21 | 3 |
| FWD | 16 | Jordy Caicedo | Huracan (Primera Division, Argentina) | 28 | 19 |
| FWD | 11 | Kevin Rodriguez | Union Saint-Gilloise (Pro League, Belgium) | 26 | 31 |
| FWD | 13 | Enner Valencia | Pachuca (Liga MX, Mexico) | 36 | 105 |
Where to watch Mexico vs. Ecuador
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, RDS | TSN+, RDS app |
| UK | ITV 1, STV Scotland | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 2 | ZEE5 |