Inter Miami Seeks to Adapt to the International Calendar to Compete at the Highest Level
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has expressed optimism about Major League Soccer (MLS)’s quick adaptation to the international soccer calendar. According to Mas, significant discussions on the matter are expected during the summer.Unlike most international leagues, MLS currently operates on a calendar that runs from February to November. This directly impacts the transfer windows, which in MLS extend from the end of January to April, while European leagues, for example, have their main transfer windows in the summer.
In April, MLS announced that a switch to an autumn/spring calendar would be considered starting in 2027, along with possible modifications to the regular season format and playoffs. “I hope that at the summer meeting we decide to move forward to align with the FIFA calendar, which I believe today puts our league at a significant disadvantage with the windows,” Mas commented. But he believes that this change, along with greater flexibility in the squad regulations, could strengthen MLS and allow it to compete better with the world’s elite leagues.
He further emphasized the importance of having deeper squads, highlighting that the difference between MLS teams and their international competitors doesn’t always lie in the starting eleven, but in the quality of the substitutes who come onto the field. This view was shared by the former Inter Miami coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, and the current coach, Javier Mascherano, who highlighted the league’s disadvantages when facing Liga MX clubs in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The lack of depth in Inter Miami could be a crucial factor in the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup, where they will face Al Ahly of Egypt, FC Porto of Portugal, and Palmeiras of Brazil in the group stage. Inter Miami will begin its participation in the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, facing Al Ahly.“Would I like to see the possibility of spending more money? Yes, but that also depends on the income of our league and the teams. We have had a lot of success with what we have been doing with Inter Miami. All the teams in the league can benefit from the increase in revenue.”
Jorge Mas
