What happened: The Ecuadorian Football Federation has confirmed the end of Sebastián Beccacece's contract as head coach of the national team, with his entire coaching staff also departing. The federation thanked the Argentine manager for his work leading La Tri and wished him well in future roles. No successor has been named and no timeline for an appointment has been set.

Why it matters: Beccacece guided Ecuador through a solid qualifying campaign that secured a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the split notable given the results delivered. The exit leaves the federation searching for new leadership at a pivotal moment, just as the program turns its attention to the tournament and the cycle beyond it. Filling the vacancy now shapes up as the FEF's most consequential near-term decision.

What to watch: Attention turns to who the FEF targets to take over the bench and whether a hire can be finalized before Ecuador's World Cup preparations intensify. Watch for candidate names and any timetable the federation signals in the coming weeks.