Vancouver FC's homegrown forward Rayan Elloumi is set to make his mark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, representing Tunisia on the world's biggest stage. The 18-year-old Elloumi has progressed through the Whitecaps' system, from the academy to MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Whitecaps FC 2. He signed a first-team contract with Vancouver in September 2025 after a successful stint with the Whitecaps' youth teams. Elloumi was part of the Vancouver side that reached MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi last year, showcasing his skills and determination. With 2 goals and 0 assists in 17 MLS appearances, Elloumi has proven himself as a valuable asset to the team. His international experience includes 3 caps and 0 goals for Tunisia, where he made his debut during the March window and earned his place on the World Cup roster. This will be Elloumi's first World Cup appearance, and he is ready to take on the challenge. Tunisia is in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, with their first match against Sweden on June 14. The 2026 World Cup has expanded from 32 nations to 48, with the top two teams advancing from each group and the top eight third-place finishers making the knockout phase. Tunisia is making its seventh World Cup appearance since debuting in 1978, where they became the first African and Arab team to win a World Cup match. Although they've never made it past the group stage, the Eagles of Carthage added another famous victory in 2022, defeating eventual finalists France, 1-0. Tunisia topped CAF Group H, going undefeated in 10 matches without conceding a single goal, to qualify directly for the World Cup.