Two former University of North Carolina Wilmington men's soccer standouts are set to make their mark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a milestone that underscores the program's growing influence on the global stage.
Hjalmar Ekdal, who earned CAA Rookie of the Year honors in 2017 after a standout freshman season with the Seahawks, will wear the Swedish jersey as a central defender when the tournament opens next year.
Joining him on the world stage, Austin MacPhee, a 2002 graduate who once netted six goals for UNCW, will serve on Portugal's technical staff, contributing his expertise in set‑piece preparation for a team expected to contend for the title.
Ekdal's Path to Sweden's Squad
Ekdal's club career has taken him from the EFL Championship's Burnley to the international arena, where his defensive acumen earned a senior debut for Sweden in 2022 and a place in the upcoming World Cup roster.
The defender's progression reflects a steady ascent, having transitioned from collegiate soccer in North Carolina to a professional environment in England, a trajectory that has now culminated in a World Cup invitation.
MacPhee's Coaching Journey
MacPhee's coaching résumé includes stints with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Portugal, but his most recent role as set‑piece coach at Aston Villa has placed him at the forefront of Premier League tactics.
His appointment to Portugal's World Cup staff adds a new dimension to the Portuguese side, where his analytical approach to dead‑ball situations could prove decisive in tightly contested matches.
Both alumni have been publicly lauded by UNCW head coach Aidan Heaney, who highlighted their dedication and the program's role in nurturing talent capable of competing at the highest levels.
Their stories also illustrate the broader impact of UNCW's soccer alumni network, which continues to bridge collegiate success with professional and international competition, reinforcing the university's reputation on a global scale.