Villarreal CF kicks off first camp in Ecuador, selects two youngsters for Spain trip
Villarreal CF launched its first official youth camp in Ecuador on Monday, July 20, 2026, a project aimed at scouting young talent. Two participants - one boy and one girl - will travel to Spain for an eight-day training stint at the club’s facilities. The Villarreal CF Camp Ecuador 2026, running in Quito until August 7, already has over 130 registered players from provinces like Guayas and Esmeraldas, as well as participants from Colombia and Venezuela living in the country.
Organized with Global Sport Talent, the camp aims to identify talents for Villarreal’s youth academy. The two selected will stay and train with the club’s youth teams in Spain, where they’ll be assessed by the coaching staff. If they meet expectations, they could join the club’s youth structure. Carlos Gracia, camp director and CEO of Global Sport Talent, said: “Villarreal has trusted Ecuadorian football”.
Over 40 % of participants are girls
A major focus of the camp is gender inclusion. More than 40 % of the 130 registered players are girls and young women, reflecting Villarreal’s commitment to women’s football at the youth level. Gigi Moreira, captain of Ecuador’s national team and a Villarreal player, served as the project’s ambassador and insisted on including girls: “We all share the idea of supporting Ecuadorian talent and giving them opportunities”.
Moreira, a defender for Villarreal, explained that the selected players will gain a unique experience: “They’ll learn what it means to be part of a club like Villarreal, competing at the highest level”. Training sessions run Monday to Friday mornings at the Colegio Intisana facilities.
Social impact and scholarships for participants
The project prioritizes access regardless of financial barriers. Over 25 % of participants received full or partial scholarships, Gracia noted. “We want this to be a social impact project where access doesn’t depend solely on a family’s financial means”, he said. Players come from across Ecuador and neighboring countries, reinforcing the camp’s regional reach.
Villarreal CF in context: zero goals in La Liga 2026
Amid this youth development push, Villarreal CF faces a tough La Liga campaign. The team has 0 goals scored and 0 conceded, with a record of 0 points and sitting in 20th place in the standings. The Ecuador camp arrives at a critical moment as the first team looks to turn things around in the league.
