GUAYAQUIL, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador and Australia will play two friendlies in Melbourne next month as both teams prepare for their respective 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the South American nation's football federation said on Wednesday.
The dates of the matches - expected to be played at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground - have not been confirmed but are almost certain to fall within the FIFA-approved March 20-28 international window.
"The Australian Federation has invited us to play two friendlies in Melbourne, taking advantage of the FIFA dates," Ecuadorian federation president Francisco Egas told reporters.
Australia are 27th in the latest FIFA world rankings while Ecuador are 41st.
The Socceroos last month reappointed Graham Arnold as head coach until 2026 following the team's impressive 2022 World Cup run, which ended with a round of 16 defeat to eventual champions Argentina.
Ecuador are still seeking a replacement for Gustavo Alfaro, who departed after the team's failure to reach the knockout stage in Qatar. ■
