With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the Meadowlands, there will be plenty of talented players taking the field at MetLife Stadium. As the tournament draws another week closer, a new star player that is set to compete in the Meadowlands for the tournament will be getting the attention. This week’s player is Moisés Caicedo, a midfielder for Ecuador.
At just the age of 24, Caicedo is still one of Ecuador’s up-and-coming talents, setting himself up for a lengthy career with the team. Caicedo gained significant traction in his career when joining Ecuadorian Serie A side Independiente del Valle, where he played on the youth team from 2016 to 2019. In October 2019, Caicedo made his debut for the club’s first team, marking the first start of his senior career.
During his time with the club, Caicedo took on the role of a defensive-centric midfielder, where he excelled in the role. His abilities in the role caught the attention of many, drawing interest from teams across the globe. On Feb. 1, 2021, Caicedo joined English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
After a few months with the club, Caicedo joined Belgian club Beerschot on Aug. 31, 2021 on a season-long loan. His time with the club was cut short, however, as he was recalled from his loan due to Brighton’s shortage of defensive midfielders. Upon returning to the club, Caicedo made his presence felt on the team, making his Premier League debut on Apr. 9. On May 7, he scored his first goal in a 4-0 win over Manchester United. At the end of Brighton’s 2022-23 season, Caicedo was awarded the team’s Player of the Season and Player’s Player.
On Aug. 14, 2023 Caicedo joined fellow English Premier League side Chelsea on an eight-year deal for a transfer fee of £115 million. On Aug. 20, Caicedo made his debut for the club against West Ham United. He scored his first goal with Chelsea on May 19, in a 2-1 win over AFC Bournemouth.
Caicedo continued to establish himself as one of the world’s top players in the 2024-25 season, where he earned the honors of being named Chelsea’s Player of the Season. With assistance from Caicedo, Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League for the season, a jump of two places from their finish in the previous season. Caicedo and Chelsea currently sit at fifth in the Premier League standings for the 2025-26 season, winning four of the club’s last five matches.
Caicedo began his international career with Ecuador on Oct. 9, 2020 when he debuted for the country’s senior squad in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Argentina. A few days later, on Oct. 13, he scored his first goal against Uruguay. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Caicedo scored the equalizing goal against Senegal that would’ve sent the team to the round of 16, however, a Senegal goal a few minutes later switched the roles and sent Ecuador home.
This year, Ecuador will be looking to make it further, after a close call in the team’s last appearance. Caicedo will be one of the team’s top players to look out for as they make a run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ecuador will come to the Meadowlands on June 25 to take on Germany at MetLife Stadium, where Caicedo will look to make his impact in the game.