New York. – The 2026 MLS season kicks off this weekend in a year marked by the North American World Cup and a historic change in the league’s calendar. It will be the last season to be played entirely in a calendar year before, from 2027, the tournament adopts the European format.
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The match between Charlotte FC and St. Louis City SC will officially open a campaign that will have as its main attraction the defense of the title by Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami, Main Candidate
The Florida team will try to revalidate the crown in a special season in which they will premiere their own stadium, the Miami Freedom Park. Messi, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will remain the core of the project, accompanied by his inseparable offensive partner Luis Suárez.
Also, Argentinian Rodrigo De Paul and the young Tadeo Allende will be part of the team’s backbone. The squad, now led by Javier Mascherano, will also aim to win the Concacaf Champions League.
To cover the departure of Jordi Alba, the club signed Spaniard Sergio Reguilón, although a knee injury in the preseason will delay his official debut.
Los Angeles and New York take center stage
In the Western Conference, the spotlight once again focuses on Los Angeles. Los Angeles FC will seek to establish itself as a powerhouse with the leadership of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and the figure of South Korean Son Heung-min.
For their part, the reigning 2024 champion, LA Galaxy, will try to leave behind a discreet previous season. The German Marco Reus will continue as a reference, while the club awaits the full recovery of Riqui Puig after his cruciate ligament surgery.
In the East, New York City FC and New York Red Bulls will seek to compete in a conference where Miami starts as the favorite.
James and other international stars
One of the most striking moves in the market was the arrival of James Rodríguez at Minnesota United FC. The Colombian signed until mid-2026 with his sights set on the World Cup, where he hopes to lead his national team again.
Also noteworthy is the presence of German Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in addition to figures such as Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC), Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC), Timo Werner (San Jose Earthquakes), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC) and André Gomes (Columbus Crew).
Break for the 2026 World Cup
The season will have a break between May 25th and July 16th due to the celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Several league players will participate in the World Cup, including Messi and De Paul with Argentina, as well as James Rodríguez and Son Heung-min with their respective national teams.
With an atypical calendar, big signings and the media impact of the World Cup, MLS faces a transition season that will mark the beginning of a new era for professional soccer in North America.
