Mere hours before the MLS received a bid to relocate the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, supporters gathered outside the FIFA Congress 2026 Thursday.
The FIFA Congress is the legislative body of the association, at which the 211 members may vote on issues including leadership and proposing future candidates to host the World Cup.
Taking advantage of the soccer world descending on Vancouver, Whitecaps fans rallied outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, demanding the city “save the ‘Caps.”
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The rally was organized after news that Major League Soccer (MLS) owners had met earlier this week to discuss the potential of relocating the team to Las Vegas — but before official reports that an investor group, led by Las Vegas businessman Grant Gustavson, had submitted a formal bid to buy and relocate the team.
The proposal includes plans for a privately financed, soccer-specific stadium, with no public funding.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has been outspoken, saying losing the MLS franchise is “not an option.” He’s called on the provincial government and the team’s owners to strike a short-term bridge deal to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver.
Early Wednesday, B.C. Premier David Eby said he would be meeting with MLS Commissioner Don Garber later in the day.
Eby said, “I’ll be asking him, ‘What is it? Can we get a specific proposal from you or the Whitecaps team about what it’ll take to stay?’”
He says the province wants to work with the league to ensure the Whitecaps remain in Vancouver for years to come.
Following his meeting with Garber, Eby told reporters the province would not transfer control of the provincially owned venue to the Whitecaps to stabilize the club’s finances, and added that the team has shown no interest in that option.
The premier said he plans to meet with the MLS commissioner again.
In a statement this week, the club’s ownership group shared that it has had serious conversations with over 100 parties interested in ownership over the past 16 months. But so far, there has been “no viable offer” to keep the team in Vancouver.
At the rally Thursday, fans told CityNews the situation is “complex,” and the prospect of losing the team is “heartbreaking.”
“This is people being brought together, showing that Vancouver belongs in Vancouver,” said one demonstrator.
“And Vegas? No.”
Another said he’s optimistic as the rally is all part of a momentous attention on the Whitecaps.
“So much has bounced around in the last 48 hours, from no one talking about it to all eyes on this club right now. Nationally, globally.”
—With files from The Canadian Press
