Watching FIFA World Cup draw exciting for prospective players, including Calgary’s Sam Adekugbe

Calgary' s Sam Adekugbe is out with an injury and won't be in the lineup when the Vancouver Whitecaps take on Inter Miami Saturday in the MLS Finals in Florida, but hopes to be able to play for Canada in the 2026 World Cup.

MIAMI — In the midst of preparing for their biggest game of the season, several Vancouver Whitecaps players took a break Friday to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.

After all, many wanted to know who they could be facing when soccer’s biggest tournament comes to Canada, the United States and Mexico next summer.

The ‘Caps are currently in Florida where they’ll battle Inter Miami for the MLS Cup on Saturday.

Groups gathered in a number of hotel rooms before the final training session of the season to see what group their country was drawn into.

Smack talk started even before the matchups were announced, said defender Sam Adekugbe.

“We had a little group party. Everyone was just talking their stuff,” he said with a grin. “Some exciting games, some exciting groups and I think the whole country’s excited.”

Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon watched the action unfold with teammates Giuseppe Bovalina and Sebastian Berhalter.

The group grew animated when it was announced Blackmon and Berhalter’s team, the U.S., would face Bovalina’s Australia, and then again when they all learned their counties will come up against Paraguay — and teammate Andres Cubas.

“We’re really excited,” Blackmon said. “Obviously it’s a huge event going on in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. We’re really excited.”

Blackmon has a shot on being on the American squad. He was called up to the men’s national team in August for a pair of friendlies.

Adekugbe played for Canada at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he won’t be in the lineup for the ‘Caps come Saturday.

The 30 year old from Calgary tore his Achilles tendon while playing for the national squad in June, but has recently returned to training with his Whitecaps teammates.

He’ll likely be on Canada’s roster next summer when the country — currently ranked 27th in the world — takes on No. 17 Switzerland and No. 51 Qatar in group play. The group will be rounded out with the winner of a March playoff between No. 12 Italy, No. 32 Wales, No. 69 Northern Ireland and No. 71 Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All three of Canada’s group stage games will take place on home soil, starting with a matchup against the yet-to-be decided country at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 12.

Toronto will host six games during the tournament and Vancouver will stage seven.

“It’s amazing,” Adekugbe said. “I think for any professional footballer, to have the chance to play in your home country is an honour and it’s something you’ll remember forever.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2025.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press