The 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver has coincided with a tidal wave of drama regarding the long-term future of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
B.C. Premier David Eby and Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon have both spoken on the matter this week. Eby met with MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Wednesday, before being hit with a “Liar liar pants on fire” tweet from Garber’s official X account, which he says was “compromised.”
“Everybody should get in a room and solve it,” Canada Soccer President Peter Augruso told Daily Hive on Thursday afternoon.
A group of Vancouver Whitecaps supporters are making their #savethecaps message heard to FIFA representatives from around the world this morning. pic.twitter.com/itu7LqMeS7
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) April 30, 2026
Hope or false hope?
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim attended the FIFA Congress, where he said he spent time speaking with the MLS commissioner.
Sim indicated that a noticeable uptick in interested parties have reached out regarding the Whitecaps, though he cautioned that there’s still plenty of work to do. He once again urged the province to “step up.”
“I was sitting beside Don Garber today,” Sim told reporters at FIFA Congress. “We’ve had some conversations with where the league is at. A lot of groups have reached out over the last 48 hours. I don’t want to give anyone false hope, because we do have a hill to climb.
“The city, we’ve done everything we can to set up a future ownership group with a path towards success. Now it’s up to the province to step up.”
“We all should be concerned”
The threat of the Whitecaps moving to Las Vegas got a little more real on Thursday, with news that a multi-billionaire group has submitted a formal bid to buy the team and move it to Nevada.
“I think we all should be concerned,” Sim said. “That goes well before Vegas came into the picture. We’ve been concerned, we’ve been working on this for over a year. We can’t control what other groups that have an interest in our team and what they do. All we can do is control our destiny.”
Even if all hurdles are cleared, building a soccer-specific stadium at Hastings Park would take multiple years to complete. Sim wants to see the Whitecaps and PavCo come to an agreement on a bridge deal to play at BC Place.
“At the City of Vancouver we’ve done everything we can to identify the PNE as a site where a future owner can build a stadium, build an entertainment district without taxpayer dollars,” Sim said. “We’ve set them up. The next stumbling block is a bridge deal with the province. That is based on if they do look at the PNE as a future site.
“There are groups that are coming out of the woodwork. We’re working hard and we’re trying to flush them out.”
Vancouver Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster has not had a lot to say publicly while talks continue. Schuster did provide a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“The club remains focused on finding solutions in Vancouver. As discussions are ongoing, we will refrain from commenting further at this time.”
Don Garber didn’t speak
Garber was not made available to the press at the FIFA Congress event. He departed the Vancouver Convention Centre while avoiding the press mixed zone.
“We have elected not to have Commissioner Garber speak with the media today as we want the focus to be on the FIFA Congress,” an MLS spokesperson said.
MLS provided a statement later on Thursday evening.
“Major League Soccer remains focused on working with the Whitecaps and local stakeholders to determine whether a sustainable long-term path for the club can be achieved.
“While in Vancouver for the FIFA Congress, Commissioner Don Garber met yesterday with Premier of British Columbia David Eby. He also had the opportunity to speak with Premier Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, British Columbia Deputy Minister of Tourism Silas Brownsey, and PavCo President and CEO Rehana Din during the Congress today.
“Those conversations were constructive, and we appreciate the time and engagement from local leadership. MLS and club representatives will continue discussions in the days ahead, and league leadership plans to return to Vancouver in the coming weeks for additional meetings.”
Sim would not go into details when pressed about his conversation with Garber. The Mayor reiterated how much history and support the franchise has had in Vancouver.
“You have a commissioner that wants to see soccer succeed in the city of Vancouver, so I think that’s very promising. The economics have to work for whoever the future owner is. We know in Vancouver we have a deep love for the Whitecaps. It’s part of our history and heritage.
“The fans have stepped up. We know the market can support the team. It’s just that stadium deal right now that doesn’t work.”