Canada vs Ecuador international friendly promises to be one of the most exciting matches of the November 2025 FIFA international window. Taking place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, this match serves as a crucial test for Canada’s Men’s National Team (CanMNT) under head coach Jesse Marsch as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the nation will co-host.
Both teams enter this encounter with different objectives — Canada looking to refine their attacking chemistry and Ecuador seeking to maintain their strong defensive structure ahead of the World Cup. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match, including form guides, key players, and what to expect when these two sides meet.
Match Details – Canada vs Ecuador International Friendly 2025
- Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 7:30 PM ET (Eastern Time)
- Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Competition: Men’s International Friendly
- FIFA Ranking (Approx.): Canada – No. 28 | Ecuador – No. 23
- Head Coaches:
- Canada: Jesse Marsch
- Ecuador: Sebastián Beccacece
Canada Men’s National Team (CanMNT) – Building Momentum for 2026
As a 2026 World Cup co-host, Canada has already secured automatic qualification and is using this series of friendlies to build tactical identity and squad cohesion under the leadership of Jesse Marsch.
In the October international window, Canada endured a difficult run with a 1-0 loss to Australia and a 0-0 draw against Colombia. Despite their recent struggles in front of goal, the performances showed glimpses of solid defensive organization and a growing understanding of Marsch’s pressing system.
Playing in front of their home fans in Toronto, the CanMNT will look to finish the calendar year on a high note and deliver a confident display before heading into 2026.
Key Players to Watch
- Jonathan David (Juventus): Canada’s talismanic forward, known for his intelligent movement and composure in front of goal. David remains one of the top young strikers in Europe.
- Cyle Larin (Feyenoord): A physically strong striker with great aerial ability, Larin will be key in breaking down Ecuador’s disciplined defense.
- Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal): A dynamic winger who brings pace and creativity to Canada’s attack. His ability to take on defenders could be pivotal.
- Stephen Eustáquio (FC Porto): The midfield engine of the team, Eustáquio’s vision and control provide balance between defense and attack.
- Ismaël Koné (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio): A rising star in Serie A, Koné offers technical ability and versatility in midfield.
Notably, Alphonso Davies is expected to miss this window due to injury, meaning Canada will have to rely on their collective attacking play rather than the Bayern Munich star’s individual brilliance.
Ecuador National Team (La Tri) – Strong, Organized, and Dangerous
Ecuador, known as La Tri, comes into this friendly on the back of a successful CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign, where they impressed by finishing second in the standings. The South American side is well-organized defensively and physically dominant, making them a stern challenge for any opponent.
In the October 2025 window, Ecuador managed consecutive 1-1 draws against the United States and Mexico — results that demonstrate their consistency and ability to grind out results even against strong opposition.
They are a side that thrives on compact defending, rapid transitions, and disciplined pressing, and their European-based players give them a high level of experience.
Key Players to Watch
- Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea FC): The heart of Ecuador’s midfield, Caicedo is known for his stamina, defensive awareness, and intelligent passing.
- Kendry Páez (Strasbourg): One of South America’s brightest teenage talents, Páez brings creativity and flair to Ecuador’s attack.
- Piero Hincapié (Arsenal): A reliable central defender, Hincapié is excellent at reading the game and building from the back.
- Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain): A strong and composed defender who complements Hincapié perfectly in central defense.
- Enner Valencia (Pachuca): The veteran striker and all-time leading scorer for Ecuador continues to be a key figure, offering leadership and finishing ability.
Ecuador’s tactical identity under their current setup focuses on defensive solidity and clinical counterattacks, and they’ll aim to exploit Canada’s aggressive forward play with their pace and precision on the break.
Head-to-Head History – Canada vs Ecuador
While these two nations have rarely met in recent years, both have evolved significantly on the international stage. Historically, Ecuador has held a slight edge in meetings, but Canada’s resurgence under Jesse Marsch adds an intriguing new dimension to this fixture.
This matchup at BMO Field will also mark the first meeting between these teams in North America in over a decade — providing a fascinating test of how far Canada has progressed tactically against elite South American opposition.
Canada’s Approach
Expect Jesse Marsch’s side to implement a high-energy pressing game, with full-backs pushing high and midfielders driving forward to create numerical superiority. Without Davies, the focus will shift toward a structured 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing quick transitions and compact pressing.
Ecuador’s Strategy
Ecuador will likely play a 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing defensive shape and quick counterattacks through Páez and Valencia. With Caicedo anchoring the midfield, Ecuador will look to disrupt Canada’s rhythm and capitalize on turnovers.
How to Watch & TV Coverage
The primary broadcast rights for Canada’s national team games are typically held by the following networks:
In Canada
The match is expected to be broadcast and streamed by:
- TV Channels: TSN (English) and RDS (French).
- Streaming: OneSoccer (Canada Soccer’s official streaming platform).
Watching From Anywhere (International)
For viewers outside of Canada, especially in the US or other regions, the broadcast can be less consistent for friendlies.
- Ecuador: The match will likely be shown on local channels like GolTV Ecuador or DirecTV Sports Ecuador.
- United States (US): The availability for this friendly is unclear, with some sources listing “Not televised” or suggesting services like DirecTV Stream may carry it. If it is not picked up by a major US network, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) may be necessary to access one of the Canadian or South American streams (please note that using a VPN to bypass geographical restrictions may violate the terms of service of the streaming provider).
Canada Possible Starting Lineup
| Position | Player |
| Goalkeeper | St. Clair |
| Defenders | Sigur, Miller, Cornelius, Laryea |
| Midfielders | Buchanan, Eustáquio, Koné, Saliba |
| Forwards | J. David, Larin |
Ecuador Possible Starting Lineup
| Position | Player |
| Goalkeeper | Galindez |
| Defenders | Franco, Ordonez, Pacho, Ramirez |
| Midfielders | Alcivar, Vite |
| Midfielders (Attacking) | Mercado, Caicedo, Páez |
| Forward | Valencia |
Canada’s November International Schedule
The match against Ecuador is the first of two friendlies for Canada in the November 2025 international window:
- Thursday, November 13: Canada vs Ecuador – BMO Field, Toronto
- Tuesday, November 18: Canada vs Venezuela – Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
These matches are essential for testing depth, refining tactics, and evaluating player combinations ahead of next year’s World Cup warm-up schedule.
The Canada vs Ecuador friendly is more than just a preparatory match — it’s a benchmark for progress. For Canada, it’s about proving they can compete consistently against strong opposition. For Ecuador, it’s about refining their form ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans at BMO Field can expect a competitive, fast-paced, and tactical contest that showcases two teams ready to make an impact on the world stage.
