Episode 706 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Let The Silly Season Begin - Whitecaps sign stadium MOU, transfer rumours, 2026 schedule, World Cup ticket price furore increases)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and World Cup 2026 chat.

The Whitecaps' offseason certainly didn't get off to a slow start, with a lot to talk about already. That's exactly what we do in this episode as we look at the potentially momentous signing of a MOU to develop a new stadium for the club, hear some thoughts from GM Axel Schuster about the road ahead, and delve into the challenges the club now face to get this deal over the line and the stadium built. We also take a look at how the 2026 schedule is shaping up for the 'Caps and look at the transfer rumours swirling around some of the club's players right now.

Plus, with the 2026 World Cup now six months away, the furore around ticket prices has increased, but do FIFA care and will they bow to any of the pressure? Music-wise, it's December, so you know what that means - the return of AFTN's Festive Fifteen! Our countdown of our favourite tracks of the year continues with the songs at positions 7 to 9, plus we have a Sutton United themed song in Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.29: Intro - weather woes, getting ready for Christmas, Traitors talk, NZ football drama
13.20: MLS Cup draws huge numbers
16.30: Whitecaps transfer rumours abound!
50.33: 2025 Festive Fifteen - #9 Vlure - Feels Like Heaven
54.53: Whitecaps and the City of Vancouver sign stadium MOU
60.25: Axel Schuster on the Whitecaps' stadium situations
71.10: The challenges ahead for the Whitecaps to get stadium deal done
102.12: 2025 Festive Fifteen - #8 Ist Ist - I Am The Fear
106.11: Whitecaps 2026 schedule sets up another exciting year ahead
133.50: 2025 Festive Fifteen - #7 Idles - Rabbit Run
138.25: World Cup ticket prices drawing increased worldwide outrage
154.30: Wavelength - Tim Vine - U Army (I Am U)