The 2026 MLS season kicks off this weekend, a pivotal year marked by the North American World Cup and a historic modification to the league’s calendar. This will be the last season to be played entirely in the calendar year, as from 2027, the tournament will adopt the European format.
Inter Miami, Title Contender
The match between Charlotte FC and St. Louis City SC will kick off a season that will have as its main attraction the defense of the title by Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi.
The Florida team will seek to revalidate the crown in a special season, where they will premiere their own stadium, the Miami Freedom Park. Messi, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will remain the cornerstone of the project, accompanied by his offensive partner Luis Suárez.
The Argentine Rodrigo De Paul and the young Tadeo Allende will also be present in the team. The squad, now managed by Javier Mascherano, also aims to conquer the Concacaf Champions League.
To cover Jordi Alba’s absence, the club signed Spaniard Sergio Reguilón, although a knee injury in the preseason will delay his official debut.
Los Ángeles and New York: Focus Points
In the Western Conference, attention is once again focused 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 2024 champion, LA Galaxy, will try to leave behind a less outstanding previous season. German Marco Reus will continue to be a benchmark, while the club awaits the full recovery of Riqui Puig after his cruciate ligament surgery.
In the Eastern Conference, New York City FC and New York Red Bulls will seek to compete in a conference where Miami starts as the favorite.
International Stars and New Signings
One of the most outstanding moves in the market was the arrival of James Rodríguez to 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 like 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, hosted 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.
