The Argentine coach confirmed the end of his tenure following the defeat against Mexico in the Round of 32. He stated that his contract ended with the World Cup and thanked his players for their commitment
The 2-0 defeatagainst Mexico in theRound of 16 of the 2026 World Cup marked the end of Sebastián Beccacece's cycle as head coach of the Ecuador national team. The Argentine coach himself confirmed his departure at the post-match press conference, where he explained that his contract with the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) would conclude with La Tri's participation in the World Cup.
Visibly moved, Beccacece lamented not having achieved the main objective they had set at the beginning of the process. "We couldn't fulfill the feat we promised, which was to have our best World Cup and, for that reason, obviously, due to the responsibility it entailed, my contract ended once the World Cup was over, and the World Cup ended for Ecuador", he expressed.
Becaccece had a contract until the end of the World Cup for Ecuador
The coach acknowledged that he would have liked to continue in the tournament, but accepted that the result sealed his fate. "Our contract ended today, it was very painful not to achieve it with such a united group. It is not what we had imagined, I would have liked to continue with one more match. The results are what matter, I have to say goodbye to a beautiful family", he affirmed.
Before addressing the press, Beccacece spent nearly two hours meeting with the players and the Federation officials. He then made a review of the two and a half years of work at the helm of the national team and highlighted the team's growth during that period.
"We left a path of two and a half years of working non-stop, with a lot of honesty and transparency. With great results in the Qualifiers, an incredible World Cup in the group stage. Today in the first half we were not up to par, that makes us leave with bitterness", he pointed out.
The coach also took on the pain of not having been able to meet the expectations that the team had generated. "Today is a sad day and night for all the Ecuadorian people because it had awakened great hope and great expectations for what we have done throughout this time we have been together", he stated.
Ecuador was thoroughly outmatched by Mexico
Despite the elimination, Beccacece highlighted the commitment of the squad and emphasized that he leaves in peace with the work done. “What happened in the locker room was something moving. We take with us respect and admiration, and that eases a bit the pain of not bringing joy to the Ecuadorian people,” he commented.
At the end of his farewell, the coach left a message of gratitude for his players and for the country he led during the last World Cup process: "My gratitude to the players and to the country, I have no reproaches".
Beccacece's numbers in Ecuador
Since his arrival at La Tri in mid-2024, just after the Copa América, the 45-year-old from Rosario managed 24 matches, achieving a record of 9 wins, 12 draws, and 3 losses, with a tally of 22 goals for and 11 against.
