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President Daniel Noboa has declared Friday a nationwide public holiday after Ecuador stunned four-time champions Germany 2-1 to qualify for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The declaration came shortly after Ecuador sealed a historic victory at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, reaching the World Cup knockout stage for only the second time in the country’s history.
Announcing the holiday on X, Noboa praised the players and coaching crew for overcoming criticism to deliver one of Ecuador’s biggest football achievements.
“Thanks to the players and the coach who, despite the criticism, the insults, and the tough times they went through, managed to bounce back and bring this immense joy to the entire country. Tomorrow, holiday! Long live Ecuador,” he wrote.
Ecuador entered the decisive Group E clash needing all three points after opening their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast and a goalless draw against Curaçao.
Germany struck first through Leroy Sané in the second minute, but Nilson Angulo restored parity seven minutes later before Gonzalo Plata fired home the decisive goal in the 77th minute to complete the comeback.
The victory secured Ecuador’s place in the Round of 32, matching their best-ever World Cup performance achieved at the 2006 tournament, while Germany crashed out of the competition.
