Vancouver Whitecaps Head to Marbella for Four Weeks of Preseason Training

Vancouver, BC – January 16, 2026 – As winter settles in back home, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are doing what has quietly become a January tradition: packing their bags and heading to Spain for a four-week preseason training camp in Marbella. It’s not a holiday—though the sunshine certainly helps—but a carefully designed reset for bodies, minds, and team chemistry.

After the indulgences of Christmas and the offseason, the timing couldn’t be better. Players arrive ready to work, shed rust, and rebuild match fitness in ideal conditions. Warm temperatures, immaculate pitches, and long daylight hours allow for consistent, high-intensity sessions that simply aren’t possible in a Canadian winter.

Axel Schuster at Whitecaps Preseason Press Conference 26

More Than Just Fitness

But fitness is only part of the story. One of the biggest advantages of a Marbella camp is bonding. New signings and returning players live, train, eat, and recover together for weeks, accelerating relationships that might otherwise take months to form. Away from daily distractions, the group builds trust, shared routines, and a collective mindset—the foundation of any successful season.

Another key benefit is variety. Instead of training against the same opponents again and again, the Whitecaps are surrounded by clubs and national teams from across Europe, North America, and beyond. Training alongside and playing friendlies against teams with different styles, tempos, and football cultures sharpens players quickly. It exposes habits, challenges assumptions, and raises standards—exactly what a preseason should do.

This year’s Marbella schedule includes four confirmed friendly matches:

February 6 vs. IF Brommapojkarna (6 a.m. PT / 3 p.m. local time)

January 24 vs. Raków Częstochowa (5 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. local time)

January 29 vs. St. Patrick’s Athletic FC (5 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. local time)

February 2 vs. FC LNZ Cherkasy (5 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. local time)

Several fresh faces are joining the trip to Spain, bringing excitement and new energy to the squad. Midfielder Oliver Larraz, the 24-year-old free-agent addition from Colorado Rapids who signed a contract through June 2027 (with a club option for 2027-28), is expected to add depth, work rate, and creativity in central midfield as he integrates under new head coach Jesper Sørensen. Defender Nikola Djordjevic, who recently signed an MLS contract with the first team after progressing through the system, is also heading overseas to prove himself in the professional environment.

The 35-player camp roster blends experience with youth, featuring established stars like playmaker Ryan Gauld, new signing Stuart Armstrong, forward Brian White, and veteran midfielder Andrés Cubas alongside promising prospects. Defender Giuseppe Bovalina has been called up to Australia’s U-23 side for their upcoming January international window, highlighting the international caliber of talent in the squad.

The camp roster includes unsigned 2026 MLS SuperDraft pick Adrian Zendejas (goalkeeper), who gets an early taste of first-team life alongside veterans. Recent Whitecaps FC 2 signings such as academy products Sahil Deo and Immanuel Mathe (both through 2027), along with forward Marko Popović (through 2026), highlight the club’s ongoing investment in homegrown talent feeding into the broader squad development.

Some Returning Members of the Whitecaps

Sebastian Berhalter, Ryan Gauld and Brian White

Sebastian Berhalter (Midfielder, #16) | Ryan Gauld (Attacking Midfielder/Captain, #25) | Brian White (Forward, #24)

Notable Absences

Notably, three promising ‘Caps—defender Ralph Priso, midfielder Jeevan Badwal, and forward Rayan Elloumi—are absent from the Marbella camp after receiving call-ups to Canada’s men’s national team for their January preparatory camp in Irvine, California. The trio will participate in the camp running from January 8-18 and take part in a friendly against Guatemala on January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles as part of Canada’s preparations for co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This marks the first senior team call-up for all three players, a significant achievement that recognizes their breakout performances during the previous season.

The Economics and Environment

There’s also a practical side that surprises many fans: the cost. January is offseason in southern Spain. Hotels are heavily discounted, the cost of living is lower, and facilities that host elite clubs year-round are readily available. For what it delivers in preparation and performance, the camp is far more economical than people might expect.

The environment matters too. Sunshine, quality food, and a professional football atmosphere lift morale. Players love it. Coaches love the uninterrupted training blocks. Club leadership loves the results. The sharpening is real—physically, tactically, and mentally.

A Proven Model

This approach didn’t happen by accident. Under CEO Axel Schuster, the Whitecaps were early adopters of the European preseason model for MLS clubs. What began as a bold move has since been validated, with other MLS teams following suit. Today, heading to Spain in January has become part of the league’s evolving culture.

Four weeks in Marbella isn’t about escaping winter. It’s about coming back stronger—bonded, battle-ready, and prepared to compete from day one, especially with new additions like Larraz helping fuel the push under Sørensen after last year’s strong but heartbreaking run.

Sources: Official Vancouver Whitecaps FC announcements on preseason camp, roster, friendlies, and signings (whitecapsfc.com); club transaction news including Oliver Larraz signing, WFC2 contracts for Sahil Deo, Immanuel Mathe, Marko Popović, and international call-ups for Giuseppe Bovalina (Australia U-23), plus Ralph Priso, Jeevan Badwal, and Rayan Elloumi (Canada men’s national team January camp); coverage from MLSSoccer.com, Canada Soccer, The Province, TSN, and other sports outlets on Jesper Sørensen’s appointment and 2026 preseason/international details.

TAGS: #VWFC #WhitecapsFC #MarbellaPreseason #MLSPreseason #VamosWhitecaps #MLS2026 #WestcoastGermanNews #Elke Porter

Photo Credit for Header Image: Shea MacNeil / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Find more information about tickets and seasons passes here: https://www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets/