Thomas Müller was unable to secure the championship in his first year. However, the 36-year-old will have another opportunity to compete for the MLS title in 2026, as the Vancouver Whitecaps have confirmed that the veteran will remain part of the team next year.
On Monday, the Vancouver Whitecaps published a squad update with their personnel plans for 2026. Among the names listed was Thomas Müller. The 36-year-old had originally only signed until the end of 2025 when he joined the club, but with an option for an additional year. It appears that this option has now been exercised. “He still feels like he has something to prove to himself and he wants to find out every day how he can get even better,” coach Jesper Sörensen said of the 2014 World Cup winner. “He wants to know every detail, wants to know what we think and how we think so he can help his teammates on the pitch.”
“I’m really excited about what’s coming next year. I’m very happy to be part of this success – and our success isn’t over yet. Our journey isn’t over yet,” Müller recently announced his stay in Vancouver via Instagram. So that’s how it turned out – in any case, the Whitecaps don’t seem to be planning any major squad changes. “It will be mostly the same players, but not the same group, because so much has happened this season. I believe we will be a better team next season,” Sörensen explained, adding: “We’re not starting from scratch, but from a good level.”
Vancouver is ready for 2026
The squad for the coming season also includes former HSV professional Sebastian Schonlau. Like Müller, the 31-year-old moved to Canada last summer, but then played no role in the team due to Achilles tendon problems. “We are building this team over several years, and most of our players will return in 2026 to build on the strong foundation we have created,” said sporting director Axel Schuster, explaining the club’s personnel policy and emphasizing that preparations for the next season have been underway for a long time: “Although our record-breaking season has just come to an end, preparations for 2026 have been underway for months, and we are ready to hit the ground running in January.”
Müller, who has played 131 times for Germany, left FC Bayern last August after 25 years, 756 appearances, and numerous titles, and subsequently became a pillar of the team in the MLS. The attacking player quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his nine goals in 13 competitive games and his entertaining interviews, which are customary in this country, and immediately reached the MLS championship final. In Miami, however, his Whitecaps lost 3-1 to Inter Miami and superstar Lionel Messi.
