After being cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to compete at the World Cup on Tuesday (November 8), Ecuador are set to take on hosts Qatar in the tournament opener on November 20.

However, Ecuador's vice-president Alfredo Borrero is set to attend the match instead of Lasso.

"I have thanked the Emir of Qatar for the invitation to attend the opening match between our teams, however I have decided not to attend," Lasso wrote on Twitter.

"Addressing the security situation in the country is my priority."

Centre-right candidate Lasso was elected as President in May 2021, but security concerns are growing due to an increase in drug gang-related violence.

Five police officers were killed in attacks earlier this month, and a state of emergency and curfews have been declared in three provinces.

At least 400 people have been killed in violent clashes in Ecuador's prisons since late 2020.

In June of this year, a series of protests struck Ecuador following rising fuel and food prices, although an agreement has now been reached between the Government and indigenous community leaders.

Lasso's decision to miss the World Cup opener marks a change from the tournament in 2018, when Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman for the match between the two countries.

Qatar are set to make their World Cup debut in Al Khor next week, after the start date was brought forward by a day to enable the hosts to play the opening match, rather than Senegal against The Netherlands as originally planned.

Ecuador are due to make their fourth appearance at the tournament, after the CAS ruled earlier this week that Byron Castillo was eligible to play in qualifying, effectively ending the hopes of Chile and Peru of taking their place.

However, Ecuador were deducted three points for the 2026 World Cup qualifying and fined CHF 100,000 (£87,800/$101,200/€101,700) for the use of a document containing false information.