Last Updated on October 1, 2026 by Gabriel

Nikola Markovic is a Canadian professional soccer player whose rise from youth football in Quebec to becoming the first overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft brought increasing attention to his background and family. Born on July 22, 2004, in Gatineau, Quebec, Markovic grew up in Canada in a family with Serbian roots.
Although Markovic has openly credited his family with helping him reach professional soccer, he has kept most of their personal information private. Both of his parents are Serbian, and they have been documented traveling considerable distances to support his career. However, their names have not been widely disclosed. As of now, there is also no reliable public confirmation identifying a girlfriend, wife, children or siblings.
Who Is Nikola Markovic’s Girlfriend?
As of now, Nikola Markovic has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend or wife through a reliable source.
Most interviews with the Canadian defender have concentrated on his soccer development, his time with CF Montréal, his successful college career at NC State and his move into Major League Soccer with D.C. United.
Markovic appears to maintain considerable privacy regarding his romantic life. No official D.C. United, MLS or NC State profile publicly identifies a partner.
Without direct confirmation from Markovic or reliable reporting, it would therefore be inappropriate to associate a specific person with him romantically.
Does Nikola Markovic Have Children?
As of now, there is no reliable public information confirming that Nikola Markovic has children.
Markovic has spoken publicly about his parents and the sacrifices his family made during his development, but established sources covering his career have not reported that he is a father.
Claims that he has a son or daughter should therefore be considered unverified unless Markovic chooses to disclose that information himself.
Who Are Nikola Markovic’s Parents?
Nikola Markovic was born in Canada to Serbian parents. NC State University and Major League Soccer both officially document his Serbian family background.
The names of his mother and father have not been widely published by authoritative soccer sources. Nevertheless, available interviews show that his parents have remained closely involved in his career and have made considerable efforts to support him.
Nikola Markovic’s Father
Nikola Markovic’s father is Serbian, although his name and occupation have not been publicly established by reliable sports sources.
One of the clearest glimpses into their relationship came during Markovic’s 2025 season with NC State.
When the Wolfpack hosted Marshall during the NCAA Tournament, both of Markovic’s parents traveled from Canada to watch their son compete. The journey was approximately 14 hours by car.
Markovic revealed that his father completed the long drive in one stretch and jokingly described him as a “machine” because of his ability to handle the journey.
His father was even considering making the same trip again when NC State prepared for its following tournament match, demonstrating the level of support Markovic received from his family during one of the most important periods of his college career.
Nikola Markovic’s Mother
Nikola Markovic’s mother is also Serbian.
Like his father, she has maintained a private profile. Her name, occupation and other personal details have not been widely reported by major soccer publications.
She was, however, among the parents who made the lengthy journey to North Carolina to watch Nikola compete during the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Markovic’s comments about his family after reaching professional soccer suggest that both parents played an important role throughout his development, even though they have largely remained away from public attention.
Nikola Markovic’s Serbian Family Background
Markovic was born and raised in Gatineau, Quebec, but both of his parents are Serbian. His background therefore connects him closely with both Canada and Serbia.
Official CF Montréal records have listed Markovic as having Canadian and Serbian nationality, reflecting the cultural background of his family.
Growing up in Quebec, Markovic developed through clubs including FC Gatineau, CS des Collines and AS Gatineau before eventually entering the CF Montréal system.
His upbringing in Canada ultimately shaped his football pathway, while his Serbian heritage remained an identifiable part of his background as his career attracted attention internationally.
Does Nikola Markovic Have Siblings?
As of now, there is no reliable publicly available information establishing whether Nikola Markovic has brothers or sisters.
NC State’s official biography confirms that his parents are Serbian but does not mention siblings. MLS and D.C. United profiles similarly provide no information about brothers or sisters.
Markovic has occasionally referred broadly to his family but has not publicly provided a complete description of his immediate household.
For that reason, it would be inaccurate to claim that he is an only child or to identify specific siblings without additional reliable evidence.
How Nikola Markovic’s Family Supported His Soccer Career
Family support has been a recurring theme whenever Markovic has discussed his progression as a player.
He developed in the Gatineau area before earning greater recognition in Quebec. At 16, he reached the provincial level, and he later helped Quebec win gold in soccer at the 2022 Canada Games.
Markovic subsequently joined CF Montréal’s academy setup at 18. He spent approximately a year and a half with the organization and gained valuable experience training around first-team players.
The next major step required moving away from Canada when Markovic joined NC State University in the United States.
Despite the considerable distance separating Gatineau and Raleigh, his parents continued following his career closely. Their lengthy road trip to watch him during the NCAA Tournament became one of the clearest public examples of that commitment.
From Gatineau to NC State
Markovic’s decision to move to NC State transformed his soccer career.
After arriving in 2024, he quickly established himself as a starting center-back. His performances earned him ACC All-Freshman Team recognition during his first season.
His development accelerated further in 2025. Markovic became a leader in the Wolfpack defense and wore the captain’s armband during a historic season for the program.
NC State reached the NCAA College Cup final while producing one of the strongest defensive records in college soccer. Markovic was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-America recognition.
Those accomplishments eventually positioned him among the leading prospects available to Major League Soccer.
Nikola Markovic Thanks His Family After the MLS SuperDraft
D.C. United selected Nikola Markovic with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, making him only the second Canadian ever selected first overall after Cyle Larin.
The moment represented the realization of a goal Markovic had pursued throughout his childhood and college career.
When discussing what becoming a professional meant to him, Markovic immediately acknowledged his family. He explained that he would not have reached that point without their help and also thanked the coaches and teammates who had supported his development.
His comments demonstrated that although his parents maintain private lives, Markovic considers their support an important part of his journey from Gatineau youth soccer to Major League Soccer.
Nikola Markovic’s Move to D.C. United
D.C. United officially signed Markovic in January 2026 after selecting him first overall in the previous month’s SuperDraft.
He entered the professional game following two seasons at NC State and signed a multi-year contract with the Washington-based club.
The move represented another significant transition for Markovic, who had already left his family home in Canada to attend university in North Carolina.
D.C. United praised not only his defensive ability but also his character and leadership, qualities that had already helped him become a captain and one of the most respected players in the NC State program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nikola Markovic’s Family
Who is Nikola Markovic’s girlfriend?
As of now, Nikola Markovic has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. No reliable major soccer source currently identifies a romantic partner.
Is Nikola Markovic married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Nikola Markovic is married.
Does Nikola Markovic have children?
As of now, there is no reliable public information indicating that Nikola Markovic has children.
Who are Nikola Markovic’s parents?
Nikola Markovic was born to Serbian parents in Canada. Their names have not been widely disclosed through reliable public sources.
Who is Nikola Markovic’s father?
Markovic’s father is Serbian and has strongly supported his soccer career. During the 2025 NCAA Tournament, he drove approximately 14 hours from Canada to North Carolina with Nikola’s mother to watch their son play.
Who is Nikola Markovic’s mother?
Nikola Markovic’s mother is also Serbian. She has remained outside the public spotlight, and her name and occupation have not been widely reported.
Does Nikola Markovic have siblings?
As of now, reliable public sources do not establish whether Nikola Markovic has brothers or sisters.
Is Nikola Markovic Serbian?
Markovic was born and raised in Canada, while both of his parents are Serbian. Official football records have recognized his Canadian and Serbian background.
Where is Nikola Markovic’s family from?
His parents are of Serbian origin, while Nikola was born in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, where he spent his childhood and began his soccer career.

Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
