Independiente del Valle's youth academy becomes the heart of Ecuador's World Cup 2026 team

Ecuador's national football team is heading to the 2026 World Cup with a remarkable contingent: half of the 26 players called up made their professional debut at Independiente del Valle (IDV). This Sangolquí-based club's influence spans the entire squad, from reserve goalkeeper Wellington Moisés Ramírez to stars like Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo.

Defenders Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), Willian Pacho (PSG), Angelo Preciado (Mineiro), and Joel Ordóñez (Brugge) all honed their skills at IDV. The midfield and attack also boast significant representation from the club's academy, including Caicedo, Kendry Páez (River Plate), Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Gonzalo Plata, Pedro Vite, Anthony Valencia, and Yaimar Medina.

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The most striking characteristic of the current squad refers to the origins of its members: 50% of the total 26 called-up players debuted in the first division of Independiente del Valle (IDV).

The club's rise as a talent factory is attributed to a strategic, long-term vision implemented since 2007 by Michel Deller and investors. Instead of acquiring established players, IDV focused on cultivating its own talent, investing over a million dollars annually in its youth divisions and scouting network. This approach has transformed the national football landscape, with IDV now serving as the bedrock of the Ecuadorian national team.

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Their motto was initially 'future champion of Ecuador.' Today, they allocate more than a million dollars annually to the development of their youth divisions and to the detection and generation of talent.