Regardless of what coffee shop you visit, the talk of the town is not necessarily about the current standing for the Canucks but rather about the heart breaking loss for the Whitecaps.
Given that the season came to an abrupt end everyone you spoke with knew that changes would be in the making as they focus on the upcoming season which every team goes through.
Sad but it’s a way of life for many teams and pro athletes and knowing about changes gives them time to focus on the next chapter of their life with a new club.
The club has taken the liberty to exercise contract options for players entering the 2026 season on goalkeeper Adrían Zendejas, defender Mathías Laborda, central midfielders Sebastian Berhalter, J.C. Ngando, Ralph Priso, winger Ali Ahmed and forward Thomas Müller.
The ’Caps currently have 26 players on their MLS roster for next year.
Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director explained through the media “We’ve been building this team over several years, and the majority of our players will return in 2026 to build on the strong foundation we’ve established.”
He continued “Although our record-breaking season just ended, preparations for preseason and roster planning for 2026 have been underway for months, and we’re ready to hit the ground running in January”
- The only way to secure a seat to every MLS regular season home match at BC Place is by becoming a Whitecaps FC season member. For more information visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
In addition they mentioned that they will not be exercising the contract option for defender Belal Halbouni’s 2026 contract but discussions are ongoing in addition to discussions with goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka whose contract expires at the end of the year.
In addition they also declined the contract options on goalkeeper Max Anchor, defender Mark O’Neill, and forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, and declined the purchase option on forward Daniel Ríos.
Alex Schuster also mentioned to the media “We are thankful to Max, Mark, Nicolas, and Daniel for their time at the club and we wish them all the best.”
Photo’s Below Credit Vancouver Whitecaps
The following first team players remain under contract for 2026
Goalkeepers (2): Isaac Boehmer, Adrían Zendejas
Defenders (9): Sam Adekugbe, Giuseppe Bovalina, Tristan Blackmon, Tate Johnson, Mathías Laborda, Édier Ocampo, Joedrick Pupe, Sebastian Schonlau, Ranko Veselinović
Midfielders (6): Jeevan Badwal, Sebastian Berhalter, Andrés Cubas, Liam Mackenzie, J.C. Ngando, Ralph Priso
Forwards (9): Ali Ahmed, Kenji Cabrera, Rayan Elloumi, Ryan Gauld, Thomas Müller, Jayden Nelson, Nelson Pierre, Emmanuel Sabbi, Brian White.
Transactions:
Option exercised (7): Ali Ahmed, Sebastian Berhalter, Mathías Laborda, Thomas Müller, J.C. Ngando, Ralph Priso, Adrían Zendejas
Option declined, contract discussions ongoing (1): Belal Halbouni
Out of contract, contract discussions ongoing (1): Yohei Takaoka
Option declined (3): Max Anchor, Mark O’Neill, Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau
Declined purchase option (1): Daniel Ríos
MLS Offseason Events and Roster Mechanisms
December 9: Concacaf Champions Cup Draw (4 p.m. PT)
December 10: Free Agency Opens (10 a.m. PT)
December 11: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1 (10 a.m. PT)
December 11: End-of-Year Waivers (2 p.m. PT)
December 17: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 2 (2 p.m. PT)
December 18: 2026 MLS SuperDraft (time TBD)
January 13: Vancouver Whitecaps FC report date
For the latest information, visit whitecapsfc.com and follow @WhitecapsFC on social media.
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