Ecuador vs Jamaica preview, team news, tickets & prediction

Ecuador are in Matchday 2 action against Jamaica at the 2024 Copa America where both sides know this game will go a long way in shaping the destiny of Group B.

Ecuador are gunning for a knockout spot at this year’s Copa America tournament and they will be hoping the game against Jamaica takes them a step closer to fulfilling that goal.

This may be their first competitive meeting but Ecuador were comfortable winners in the two previous times they met Jamaica in international friendlies.

La Tri started their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a fine and three-point deficit as punishment for falsifying birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification series. Yet, they are fifth having won three, drawn two and lost one of their six matches so far.

A Lionel Messi goal decided their opening game against Argentina in Buenos Aires but they bounced back with wins over Uruguay and Bolivia, the latter coming thanks to a late strike from Kevin Rodriguez.

Goalless draws against Colombia and Venezuela followed then they beat Chile 1-0 in the final game of 2023.

Felix Sanchez Bas’ side took on Guatemala and Italy in the United States of America for a couple of friendlies ahead of the Copa America and they won the first before losing 2-1 to the Europeans.

Ecuador have never won a major competition and this is a great chance for this new generation of quality players to better their best-ever run of two fourth-place finishes.

Given their improving fortunes in recent years, Ecuador appear as an underdog this summer and they must live up to that billing

Of course, talents like Moises Caicedo, Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie, Jeremy Sarmiento and Kendry Paez are getting the whole nation excited and they are under pressure to deliver a notable campaign.

They will nevertheless be meeting a stubborn Jamaican side who will not be making life any easier for them.

The Reggae Boyz qualified for the Copa America in sensational circumstances after entering the Nations League A semifinals via a turnaround victory over Canada. Jamaica had lost 2–1 in the first leg before winning 3-2 in the second leg and benefiting from the away goals rule.

That first appearance in the Nations League semi-finals went off to a dream start with Greg Leigh’s goal in the first minute turning into a late nightmare as a last-minute own goal took the game to extra-time before Haji Wright scored the match-winning brace.

Jamaica eventually won the third-place match but they are yet to score a goal at the Copa America which should be their first ‘goal’ at this year’s tournament.

Heimir Hallgrimsson will be desperate to get a tune out of his team that has displayed lots of spirit in recent years while they have some crucial momentum to latch on to. There are World Cup qualifiers to come before the big tournament kicks off so Jamaica can still build some more confidence.

They find themselves in a tough group with Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador but Jamaica would be pleased to play party-pooper and disrupt the fortunes of their stronger opponents. Hence, a positive result against the Tricolour would go well with that ambition.

Match tickets

This Copa America matchup takes place on Wednesday, 26 June 2024 with kick-off scheduled for 11 PM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on the websites of both national federations as well as the tournament organizers so you can hurry to purchase yours.

The game will be played at the Allegiant Stadium where around 61,000 spectators are expected to fill the stands to witness this unprecedented fixture. The venue is a grandiose edifice in itself which should add to the atmosphere and excitement as fans take to their seats.

This means that getting match tickets through official channels might be a tad difficult because of the high demand due to the importance to both teams.

Hence, supporters who are yet to buy their Ecuador vs Jamaica tickets can do so on a ticket resale site.

Team news

Ecuador had a full-strength side to call upon during the March international window and they will be hoping it stays the same at the Copa America.

For this game, Felix Sanchez is likely to stick to the same team that started the opening match against Venezuela save for any injuries or suspension.

Leon Bailey is in the form of his life having registered eight goals and eight assists in 27 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa but he has announced his decision to step back from the national team due to alleged unprofessionalism from the Jamaica Football Federation.

The forward’s availability for Copa America is now uncertain and the team is set to miss a big presence as having a player of Bailey’s calibre would certainly give Ecuador a few more things to worry about.

Line-ups

Ecuador have built some positive momentum in recent years and they would look to profit from that to better their quarter-final finish from the 2021 Copa America tournament.

Their strongest side is capable of reaching those heights and the manager must provide them with the technical tools to flourish.

Ecuador: Dominguez; Torres, Pacho, Hincapie; Preciado, Franco, Caicedo, Estupinan; Rodriguez, Valencia, Sarmiento

The Reggae Boys are embracing their overseas-based talents which has steadily given the national team a facelift. The likes of Demarai Gray, Michail Antonio and Bobby De Cordova-Reid have become mainstays in the team and their quality must be relied upon during this tournament.

Jamaica: Blake; Latibeaudiere, Lowe, Hector; Leigh, Lowe, Palmer, Lembikisa; De Cordova-Reid, Antonio, Gray

Prediction

Ecuador has the momentum and quality to overcome Jamaica despite the fact the Caribbeans are expected to put up a good fight.

The technical superiority and solid tactical shape that is a 3-4-3 should help Ecuador keep their opponents at arm's length while they seek to do damage at the other end of the pitch.

Ecuador 2-0 Jamaica