Gonzalo Plata predicts Ecuador will reach first World Cup final | OneFootball

Flamengo forward Gonzalo Plata, in Ecuador’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, has predicted his country will make the final.

According to Coluna Do Fla, he joked with supporters on arrival for the national team camp, telling them to pack for a stay until the end. The Flamengo attacker is among Sebastián Beccacece’s leading options.

If realised, it would be Ecuador’s first World Cup final. Their best run came in 2006, when they reached the knockouts and lost 1-0 to England in the last 16.

On Saturday 30 they beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a friendly. They face Guatemala on Sunday 7 at 17:00 Brasília time in another warm-up.

Ecuador are in Group E with Germany, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. Their opener is on 14 June against Ivory Coast at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Plata has 23 appearances in the 2026 season, with two goals and two assists. After adaptation issues under Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim, he is now getting further opportunities.

Source: Coluna Do Fla