More than Inter Miami anticipates MLS schedule change to compete globally

MLS Seeks to Align with the International Calendar: Statements from Jorge Mas

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has expressed his expectation that Major League Soccer (MLS) will soon adapt to the international soccer calendar. More 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 results in the league’s main transfer window extending from January 31st to April 23rd. Meanwhile, the major European leagues conduct their transfers in the summer, which affects the ability of MLS clubs to participate in the global transfer market.

In April, MLS announced that it would explore the possibility of switching to a fall/spring calendar starting in 2027, along with possible modifications to the regular season format and playoffs.

“I fully expect that at the summer meeting we will decide to move forward to align with the FIFA calendar, which I believe today puts our league at a significant disadvantage with respect to the transfer windows,” Mas said.

Jorge Mas

He further emphasized that this change, along with greater flexibility in the squad regulations, could allow MLS to compete more effectively with elite leagues worldwide.

He also mentioned the importance of flexibility in the composition of the squads to strengthen the league. He highlighted that the difference between MLS teams and those of other international competitions does not always reside in the starting eleven, but in the quality of the substitutes.

“If that gap is reduced, we will be able to have deeper squads, squads of 14, 15 or 16 players instead of 10, 11, 12 or 13, our teams will be better. I think those are some mechanisms we can use to strengthen the league,” he added.

Jorge Mas

Both Gerardo “Tata” Martino, former coach of Inter Miami, and Javier Mascherano, the current coach, have expressed similar opinions, highlighting the disadvantage of the league compared to the clubs of Liga MX. Martino, in particular, has pointed out the strict roster rules and the difficulty in building deep teams as a key factor in Inter Miami’s elimination in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup against CF Monterrey. The limited depth of Inter Miami could be a relevant factor in the 2025 Club World Cup, where the team will face Al Ahly of Egypt, FC Porto of Portugal, and Palmeiras of Brazil in the group stage, hoping to advance to the knockout rounds. Inter Miami will begin its participation in the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, facing Al Ahly.