Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the world stage. International 'Caps keeps you updated with the latest on players' experiences with their countries ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.
VANCOUVER, BC – Another FIFA international window is upon us, meaning we have another edition of 'International 'Caps' on deck to preview the games ahead.
Five Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team players were called up for this month's window as they get set for some international friendly matches.
Canada men's national team October schedule
- Canada vs. Australia
Friday, October 10 - 4:30 p.m. PT
Stade Saputo, Montréal, Québec - Colombia vs. Canada
Tuesday, October 14 - 5 p.m. PT
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey
For the third consecutive window, Ali Ahmed and Jayden Nelson have been named to Jesse Marsch's Canada men's national team roster. The dynamic 'Caps duo have been in impressive form of late at the club level, with Ahmed recording two goals as well as four assists in his last six starts to bring him to a career-high 13 goal contributions for the Blue and White this season (three goals, 10 assists). Ahmed is also nearing a significant milestone in his career in the form of 100 appearances across all competitions for the 'Caps, which would see him become the first Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) MLS NEXT Pro product to accomplish the feat. Meanwhile, Nelson has continued his electric debut campaign with Vancouver, tallying his third goal of the season and three assists over the last month for a career-high total of 15 goal contributions this season (three goals, 12 assists).
Ahmed and Nelson will be aiming to translate their club form to country as Canada gets set for two big tests this window. First up, the national team makes its long-awaited return to Montréal, facing off against Australia on Friday in the first match at Stade Saputo since 2017. The Aussies, ranked 25th in the world, are only one spot higher than the Canadians in FIFA's World Rankings. The group will then jet off to New Jersey for a clash against Colombia, who sit 13th in the world at the time of writing. Funnily enough, it'll be the first meeting between the two sides since October 14, 2014, when Colombia claimed a narrow 1-0 victory. Exactly 11 years later, the two teams will meet again at the exact same venue.
You can catch Ahmed, Nelson, and the rest of the men's national team action live on TSN, RDS, and OneSoccer, available on the FuboTV Canada platform, as a linear channel on Telus’s Optik TV (Channel 980), as well as online at OneSoccer.ca and through the OneSoccer app.
Paraguay men's national team October schedule
- Japan vs. Paraguay
Friday, October 10 - 3:20 a.m. PT
Suita City Football Stadium, Osaka, Japan - South Korea vs. Paraguay
Tuesday, October 14 - 3 a.m. PT
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
The 'Caps unsung Paraguayan hero has travelled to Asia to join up with his country for a pair of friendlies against Japan and South Korea. With qualification to next summer's tournament secured, expect Cubas and Paraguay to test themselves against World Cup opposition over the coming windows as they aim to build off their impressive qualifying campaign. During qualifying, Cubas ranked seventh overall in CONMEBOL for successful tackles won per 90 and eighth overall in interceptions per 90. As a whole Paraguay were tied with Ecuador for the least expected goals conceded with 1.00 and ranked first in defensive metrics such as successful tackles per match as well as clearnances per match.
Peru men's national team October schedule
- Chile vs. Peru
Friday, October 10 - 4 p.m. PT
Estadio Bicentenario de la Florida, Santiago, Chile
Having bowed out of contention for a sixth World Cup appearance, Peru have begun looking towards the next cycle of talent for their senior team. One of those talents is 'Caps attacking midfielder Kenji Cabrera. 'El Samurai', as he was nicknamed at his previous club FBC Melgar, is in the midst of his fourth call-up to the national team and is coming off his first two international caps back in September. Cabrera started both of Peru's matches last month and will be aiming to build off that in their upcoming friendly against Chile on Friday.
Tunisia U-23's national team October schedule
- Iraq U-23 vs. Tunisia U-23
Saturday, October 11 - Iraq U-23 vs. Tunisia U-23
- Tuesday, October 14
Lastly, 'Caps academy and WFC2 product Rayan Elloumi has enjoyed a fruitful start to life with the first team after signing his contract as a Homegrown player on September 12. The forward scored his first goal on his home debut against the Philadelphia Union on September 13, becoming the first 'Caps Homegrown to so and followed it up with his first assist on September 16 against Forge FC in TELUS Canadian Championship action. He then started the Final against Vancouver FC on October 1 en route to winning the first trophy of his young career and four days later grabbed his second goal in the 4-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes. What a life.
Now, the 18-year-old has received his first call-up to Tunisia's U-23 side, as they play a pair of friendlies over the coming days against Iraq's U-23 team.
