QUITO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador will finalize its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a friendly against Guatemala in the United States, the South American team's football federation said on Tuesday.

The match will be played in Columbus, Ohio, on June 7, a week before Ecuador's World Cup opener.

"The match ... will form part of the team's final stage of sporting planning ahead of the start of the tournament," the federation said in a statement.

Ecuador qualified for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada by finishing second behind Argentina in South America's 10-team qualifying tournament.

Sebastian Beccacece's side will begin its campaign against Cote d'Ivoire on June 14 before also meeting Curacao and Germany in the group stage. ■