Vancouver Whitecaps players fall ill after Mexico final; Canada coach suggests possible poisoning

Canada's men's national soccer team coach, Jesse Marsch, was outraged on Friday, June 6, that Vancouver Whitecaps players had been "poisoned" during their trip to Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Earlier, the Whitecaps released a statement on Thursday indicating that approximately half of the 75 individuals who returned to Vancouver on the team's charter plane after Sunday's game reported experiencing symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness.

He addressed the issue and said that the team is monitoring the players’ conditions and considering necessary adjustments.

“We’re still in the evaluation phase,” Marsch said during a press conference. “We know some players have been sick after the trip to Mexico. We're trying to gather information and ensure everyone is ready, but health comes first.”

Marsch admitted that he had no evidence of poisoning but added that, "It's not random that two years in a row that this has happened."

Vancouver arrived in Mexico City last Friday and faced a heavy defeat, losing 5-0 to Cruz Azul in the final of CONCACAF's elite club competition on Sunday. The players reportedly began experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness shortly after returning from the match.

The exact cause of the illness has not been publicly confirmed, but the timeline suggests a likely link to their stay or travel conditions.

While no specific number of affected players has been disclosed, multiple members of the squad were said to be unwell.

The timing of the outbreak has raised concerns for Canada’s national squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. Some of the Whitecaps players are regulars or contenders for national team call-ups, and their illness could affect Marsch’s lineup plans.

The coach highlighted that we have contingency strategies in place. Marsch added that we have a larger player pool to work with. However, we need to be mindful of recovery timelines and don’t want to rush anyone too soon.


This incident has prompted discussions around travel protocols and food safety for players traveling internationally. Teams often face different hygiene standards when playing abroad, especially in countries with varying water quality or food handling practices.

Experts point out that gastrointestinal illnesses are not uncommon in high-travel sports environments. “It’s part of the risk when you travel, especially for international tournaments,” said a former national team nutritionist, who noted that strict controls over food and water intake are typically recommended.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have not issued an official statement detailing the extent of the illness but confirmed that health precautions were being followed.