Ecuador entered World Cup qualifying already carrying a three-point penalty imposed in 2022 for selecting Colombia-born Byron Castillo, whom Chile argued was ineligible for Qatar’s qualifiers.
Félix Sánchez began the 2026 campaign, winning three of six matches, but he was dismissed in July 2024 immediately after a Copa América quarter-final defeat to Argentina.
“They lost the shootout, and Sanchez was sacked in the dressing room after the game,” South American football expert Tim Vickery told BBC Sport.
“They treat their coaches with great harshness.”
Beccacece’s tenure opened with a 1-0 loss to Brazil, but Ecuador then went 11 games without defeat and qualified for the World Cup as South American runners-up, behind Brazil.
They arrived at the tournament amid high hopes, riding a 19-match unbeaten streak.
The start, however, was not what they or their supporters had envisioned.
A last-minute 1-0 defeat by Ivory Coast in the opener was followed by a humbling goalless draw with debutants Curacao, turning sections of the fanbase against the coach.
“I am very sorry I didn’t make it to the heart of the Ecuadorean fan,” he had said.
“For the fans who don’t know me, I think I didn’t quite click with them. There is something they don’t like with me and that is fine.”
With no notable playing career, Beccacece forged his reputation as Jorge Sampaoli’s assistant during Chile’s successful spell a decade ago—helping them reach the 2014 World Cup and win their first Copa América in 2015.
He was also on Sampaoli’s staff at the 2018 World Cup with Argentina, and later managed Spain’s Elche before taking over Ecuador.
Having now overseen Ecuador’s World Cup resurgence, the 45-year-old may have achieved the signature milestone of his coaching career.
“We never feel like we are in hell, nor do we feel like we are in heaven,” he said after beating Germany.
“We have our feet grounded on earth and we feel and think in the right manner.”