Fiorella Pico set to captain Ecuador at U-17 Women's World Cup Her team will face host nation Dominican Republic in their opening game Midfielder speaks exclusively to FIFA about tournament ambitions
Fiorella Pico and her Ecuador team-mates will make history on Wednesday, with the nation set to compete in their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ match.
The occasion will be even more special given they will face host nation Dominican Republic. Midfielder Pico will captain Ecuador and spoke emotionally to FIFA about what it will mean to lead the team out in Santiago de los Caballeros.
“We’re incredibly excited,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “We’re thrilled to be the first of many generations that will continue to qualify for the World Cup.”
Pico was part of the Ecuador side which qualified for the global finals back in March by finishing third in the South American U-17 Women's Championship.
That was just one of several landmark moments she has experienced in 2024. A few weeks ago, she lifted the Ecuadorian Women’s Super League trophy with club side Independiente del Valle – the first time they had ever won the competition. In June, she won the national league title with her club’s youth side, while she also represented Ecuador in the South American U-20 Women's Championship.
Pico is now out to make her mark on the world stage and told FIFA why her team's unity and togetherness can help them flourish in the Dominican Republic.
“We’re warriors, we’re different, we’re tough," she said. "We make sure we fully understand our goals from the word go, we always try to enjoy ourselves and we’re a very tight-knit group.”
Prior to travelling to their World Cup base, Ecuador took part in a number of friendlies, including a 0-0 draw with Colombia. Pico believes that will stand them in good stead going into the tournament. “We’re ready, we’re prepared, we know the responsibility we’ve got on our shoulders, and we’re fully committed. We know that the World Cup is the most challenging tournament in the world, but I think we’re ready to compete.”
Pico is fully aware of the importance of her position on the pitch and the responsibilities that come with wearing the captain's armband.
“My team-mates rely on me a lot," she said. "I talk a lot on the pitch, I try to communicate with them often because it’s very important. I always try to guide them because I’m in the middle of the pitch, so it’s easier for me to have a better understanding of how we’re performing. It’s also very important for the goalkeeper and the defenders to be constantly talking to each other, but I’m the captain, so I have to communicate the most with my team-mates.”
Asked what Ecuador can achieve in the Dominican Republic, Pico added: “I can see us making it out of the group stage and into the next round. I can picture us playing in the World Cup final. As far as I’m concerned, we’re the best, and we’re going into the tournament with that belief.”