In the latest developments concerning the Ecuadorian national football team, it has been confirmed that Óscar Zambrano will not be joining the squad for upcoming friendly matches against Morocco and the Netherlands, despite prior announcements from his club regarding his inclusion. This news comes directly from NK Maribor, Zambrano's current team, which revealed that the player suffered an injury during the most recent training session. Consequently, he also missed participation in a league match against Aluminij in Slovenia.
This situation sheds light on the physical challenges faced by the former Liga de Quito player, who has struggled with fitness issues, including a thigh injury that limited his activity in February. The management at NK Maribor is focused on ensuring his recovery, which led to the decision to refrain from allowing him to be called up by head coach Sebastián Beccacece. Zambrano had been eager to return to the national team after serving a suspension related to a doping incident, but his current health status has taken precedence.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, with significant friendly matches expected in June, the trajectory of Óscar Zambrano's recovery will be crucial. His potential inclusion in Ecuador's World Cup roster will depend heavily on how he progresses in the coming weeks.
As reported by espndeportes.espn.com.
