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 – Nine Vancouver Whitecaps FC players were in action for their countries during the June international window. Read along to find out how each of them got on.
Canada won the inaugural Canadian Shield tournament in Toronto, Ontario, thanks to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Ukraine in their opening match and a 0-0 draw against Cote D'Ivoire, with the visitors claiming a morale victory in the penalty shootout.
Ali Ahmed: The "Ali A fan club" was out in full force at BMO Field. Ahmed was an unused substitute in the win over Ukraine. He then started the match against Cote D'Ivoire, playing the full 90 minutes and recording two chances created, five passes into the final third, five tackles won, six clearances, and seven successful duels won.
Sam Adekugbe: Adekugbe played in both of Canada's matches, coming off the bench for the final five minutes against Ukraine and starting against Cote D'Ivoire. The fullback came off in the 83rd minute due to injury after putting in five successful duels won, five recoveries, one block, one clearance and one successful tackle.
Jayden Nelson: Nelson played in both of Canada's matches. The winger came close to finding the back of the net against Ukraine, striking the post once and forcing a save from the Ukrainian goalkeeper in a 26-minute cameo off the bench. He also helped create one big chance and tallied two successful duels won. Nelson then started the second match and played 76 minutes, recording one chance created, three successful tackles, and six successful duels won.
WHAT'S NEXT: The trio will now look ahead to the Gold Cup, in the hopes of helping Canada win the trophy for the first time since 2000. Canada will take on Honduras in their opening match of the tournament next Tuesday, June 17 at BC Place. Tickets are available HERE.
The U.S. dropped their two friendly matches during the window, losing 2-1 to Türkiye and 4-0 to Switzerland.
Sebastian Berhalter: Berhalter was an unused substitute in the first match, but then made his international debut by starting the match against Switzerland. The 24-year-old played 75 minutes, recording 87% passing accuracy, four recoveries, two clearances, and three successful duels won.
Brian White: White came off the bench against Türkiye, playing 16 minutes. He then started against Switzerland, playing 45 minutes and creating one chance while registering two successful duels won.
WHAT'S NEXT: Berhalter and White have also been named to the USMNT's Gold Cup roster. They'll face Trinidad and Tobago in their opening match of the tournament on Sunday, June 15 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
Pedro Vite and Ecuador are World Cup bound! After a pair of 0-0 draws against Brazil and Peru this window, Ecuador became the third CONMEBOL nation to book their ticket to the finals, doing so by only conceding five goals during qualifying with a round to spare. Their campaign is made even more impressive when you consider they were deducted three points at the start of qualifying due to a dual-national fiasco.
Vite started both matches, playing the full 90 against Brazil and 81 minutes against Peru. Across the two games, the 'Caps maestro recorded two chances created, two successful tackles, two successful dribbles, two interceptions, nine recoveries, and 10 successful duels won.
WHAT'S NEXT: As previously mentioned, Ecuador still have a round to spare in qualifying. They'll face Paraguay on the road and play Argentina at home in September.
Paraguay came ever so close to making their World Cup dreams a reality this window. 'La Albirroja' claimed a 2-0 win against Uruguay at home but fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in Brazil, meaning they'll have to wait for the last round of qualifiers to make it to their first World Cup in 15 years.
As ever present on the national team, Cubas started and played the full 90 in both matches for Paraguay. The 'Caps Designated Player was immense in the win over Uruguay, registering five successful tackles, a whopping 11 successful duels won, one interception and one recovery. He was made to work against Brazil as well, putting in three successful tackles, two clearances, three recoveries, one block, and six successful duels won.
WHAT'S NEXT: Cubas will now meet Vite and Ecuador in Paraguay's final home match of qualifying in September. They'll then close out their campaign on the road against Peru. A win or a draw against Ecuador would secure World Cup qualification for Paraguay.
Australia's U-23 side played two friendly matches against South Korea's U-23 team, drawing the first encounter 0-0 and winning the second match 2-0.
Bovalina came off the bench in the first match and then started the 2-0 win, playing the full 90 minutes.
WHAT'S NEXT: More of a what's next section for Bovalina, but Australia's senior team actually qualified for the World Cup during this window. The 19-year-old will aim to continue performing for club and country in the hopes of being named to the final roster for the tournament come next summer.
The U.S. U-20s made the trip to Egypt for a pair of friendlies, losing 1-0 to Norway and claiming a 1-0 win over Colombia.
Johnson played 45 minutes in both matches, starting the second match against Colombia.
WHAT'S NEXT: The goal at the national team level for Johnson has to be making the final roster for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year. The youngster will look to build on the bright start to his MLS career to continue staying on the radar of U-20 head coach Rob Valentino.
