VANCOUVER, BC – The world is coming to Vancouver, but already Vancouver Whitecaps FC have made their influence on the world.
As of writing, Whitecaps FC will have 15 current or former players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
They represent eight different countries: Austria, Canada, Ecuador, Korea Republic, New Zealand, Paraguay, Tunisia, and the United States. All but five groups in the tournament feature at least one player who has affiliation to the ‘Caps.
We know who Canada have named to their roster, which so far includes six former 'Caps MLS players in Ali Ahmed, Derek Cornelius, Maxime Crépeau, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea and Jayden Nelson, as well as Niko Sigur who spent time in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy. The final list, pending injury replacements, will be announced on Thursday.
Outside of our home nation, here are the current and former 'Caps representing seven other countries.
Pedro Vite – Ecuador – VWFC 2021 to 2025
Vite joined the ‘Caps in 2021 at 19-years-old and during his time at the club, developed into one of the top midfielders in MLS. The Ecuadorian international made 140 appearances in his half-decade with the Blue and White in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and recording 20 assists along the way. While with Vancouver, Vite became a three-time Voyageurs Cup winner in consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, and was a key contributor to the 'Caps run to the final of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup in his final season.
Vite was transferred to LIGA MX side Pumas UNAM in July 2025 and currently remains with the club. Vite has 17 caps with the Ecuador senior men’s national team, scored one goal, and has represented the nation at U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels.
Alessandro Schöpf – Austria – VWFC 2022 to 2024
Schöpf joined the ‘Caps halfway through the 2022 season in August, during his two plus seasons at the club the Austrian midfielder made 61 starts in 84 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and registering five assists. Schöpf helped Whitecaps FC win the TELUS Canadian Championship in both 2023 and 2024, as well as make the MLS Cup Playoffs in both seasons.
Schöpf returned to his home country at the conclusion of his contract with the 'Caps to play for Wolfsberger AC of the Austrian Bundesliga and recently signed with his newest club, LASK, of the same league. Schöpf has 35 caps for Austria’s senior men’s squad and has scored six international goals.
Hwang In-beom – Korea Republic – VWFC 2019 to 2020
In-beom joined the ‘Caps ahead of the 2019 season from his hometown club Daejeon Citizen FC, staying in Vancouver for a season and a half. The dynamic midfielder made 41 appearances for the club, scoring four goals and adding six assists across all competitions. In his first season, In-beom co-led the club in assists with five and, at the time, was second all-time for minutes played (2,807) by a ‘Caps midfielder in a single regular season.
In-beom was transferred to Russian Premier League club FC Rubin Kazan in August 2020, where he completed two loan stints with FC Seoul in K League 1. He has since spent time in Greece’s Super League 1, Serbia’s Super liga Srbije, and is currently playing for Feyenoord Rotterdam in Eredivisie, Netherlands top tier league. In-beom has 73 caps for the Korea Republic senior men’s team and has scored six international goals including appearing in the nation’s pre-World Cup friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on May 30, 2026.
Michael Boxall – New Zealand – VWFC 2011 to 2012
Boxall joined the ‘Caps in the club’s inaugural year in MLS as the first overall draft pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft. In his rookie season, the centre back made 21 appearances across all competitions, including two Canadian Championship matches. Boxall spent the majority of his second season with the Whitecaps FC reserves in the MLS Reserve League before having his contract waived in June 2012.
Boxall spent time in the Australian A-League and in South Africa before settling back in MLS with Minnesota United FC in 2017 and has been there ever since. Boxall has 69 caps for the New Zealand senior men’s national team, including three appearances in each the 2008 and 2024 Olympics, and most recently appearing in the nation’s pre-World Cup friendly against Haiti on June 2, 2026.
Francis de Vries – New Zealand – WFC2 2017
De Vries joined the ‘Caps through the 2017 MLS Super Draft as the 29th overall selection and was rostered with Whitecaps FC 2 for the season. The then-young defender started in all 20 of his appearances, led WFC2 in clearances (121) and blocks (21) while also serving as the squad’s alternate captain.
De Vries continued to develop his career in New Zealand then Sweden before returning home to play in the National League-North, New Zealand’s top tier, most recently joining Auckland FC of the A-League in 2024. De Vries has 19 caps for the New Zealand senior men’s national team including appearing in the nation’s pre-World Cup friendly against Haiti on June 2, 2026.
Andrés Cubas – Paragauy – VWFC 2022 to present
Cubas joined the ‘Caps ahead of the 2022 MLS season and has made 127 starts in 136 appearances across all competitions for the Whitecaps. This season, he has started in 12 of his 14 appearances, leads the MLS in tackles with 26 and tied his MLS career high three assists already this year. While Cubas has been on the pitch, the ‘Caps have only conceded six goals and hold a +18 goal differential and did not concede a goal in his first 644 minutes played.
Cubas has 33 caps for the Paraguay senior men’s national team.
Sebastian Berhalter – United States – VWFC 2022 to present
Berhalter joined the ‘Caps in February 2022 and has continued to establish himself as an integral part of the squad, including a standout 2025 season where he was named to the Concacaf Champions Cup Best XI, MLS All-Star Game, and MLS Best XI. In his career with Whitecaps, the midfielder has made 112 starts in 167 appearances across all competitions, scoring 20 goals and collecting 34 assists. So far this season, Berhalter has started in 17 of his 18 appearances and has 14 goal contributions (7G, 7A) and is just one goal away from matching his MLS career high set last year.
Berhalter has 13 caps for the United States senior men’s national team since receiving consistent call ups beginning in 2025 including appearing in the nation’s pre-World Cup friendly against Senegal on May 31, 2026.
Rayan Elloumi – Tunisia – WFC2 2023-2025; VWFC 2025 to present
Elloumi joined the team through the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy in 2023 where he played for Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) as an amateur before signing his first professional contract with the MLS NEXT Pro side in June 2025. The forward signed his first MLS short-term agreement later that month before officially signing a first team contract in September of that year. Elloumi has four starts in 25 appearances across all competitions for the ‘Caps first team since making his debut against Philadelphia Union on September 13, 2025 where he scored his first MLS goal as a substitute.
Elloumi has four caps for the Tunisian senior men’s national team including appearing in the nation’s pre-World Cup friendly against Austria on June 1, 2026.