The 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season is beginning during a year of high importance for the sport in North America. Inter Miami CF enters the year after winning the previous MLS Cup, but the team now deals with physical injuries and changes to its group of players. While some experts view Inter Miami as the most likely team to win again, others point to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) as the primary challenger. This investigation looks at the facts regarding player health, new signings, and the tactical changes happening across the league.
The State of Major Teams and Players
The 2026 season involves several high-profile players and coaching changes that change how teams perform.
Lionel Messi is currently recovering from a muscle strain in his left hamstring, which happened during a friendly match against Barcelona SC.
Son Heung-min has joined LAFC, creating a new partnership with Denis Bouanga.
Timo Werner is reportedly a target for Inter Miami as they look to replace older players.
Wilfried Nancy, a successful coach for Columbus Crew, has left the league to join Celtic in Scotland.
Core Insight: While Inter Miami has the most famous players, their success depends on the health of Lionel Messi and finding a replacement for potential departures like Luis Suarez.
Comparative Data on Top Teams
| Team | Key Change | 2025 Performance | Expert Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | Added Micael; Tracking Timo Werner | MLS Cup Winners | Most experts pick them to win the East |
| LAFC | Signed Son Heung-min | 3rd in West | Top pick for MLS Cup by several analysts |
| Columbus Crew | Coach Wilfried Nancy departed | 7th in East | Expected to drop in the standings |
| New York City FC | Stable roster | 5th in East | Predicted to stay in the middle of the pack |
Detailed Evidence of Team Changes
The Health and Roster of Inter Miami
Evidence shows that Inter Miami is in a period of change. Lionel Messi is 38 years old and his recent hamstring injury has raised questions about how many games he can play. Medical tests confirmed the injury after a game in Ecuador. At the same time, the team is changing its defense and attack.
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Micael, a defender who previously played for Houston Dynamo, has returned from Brazil to help the Miami defense.
Reports from the German news outlet BILD state that Timo Werner is unhappy at RB Leipzig and is being considered by Miami.
It is not known if Luis Suarez will stay with the team for the full season.
The Rise of LAFC and New Tactics
Data from the previous year shows that LAFC has changed how they play. They moved from a style focused on quick attacks to a style focused on keeping the ball. They finished 7th in the league for average possession.
The addition of Son Heung-min gives them a player who has performed at the highest level in England.
Analysts note that LAFC has a very strong defense, though they are still working on minor improvements.
Competing Views on Season Winners
Viewpoint A: Inter Miami’s Dominance
Many experts, including Henry Bushnell and Felipe Cardenas, argue that Miami is the best team on paper. They believe that if Messi is healthy, the team can win three different trophies this year. This view is based on the fact that Miami has built a roster with more talent than any other team in recent history.
Viewpoint B: The LAFC Challenge
Other experts, such as Tom Bogert, suggest that LAFC is the better choice for the MLS Cup. They argue that teams that do well in the regular season often fail in the playoffs. They believe the combination of Son and Bouanga will be too difficult for other teams to stop.
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Viewpoint C: The Field of Contenders
Some investigators focus on teams like Nashville SC and Chicago Fire. While these teams do not have the same level of famous players, they have shown they can compete. Sam Surridge at Nashville is highlighted as a top scorer who could lead his team to an unexpected victory.
Expert Analysis
Paul Tenorio of The Athletic points out that the 2026 World Cup will impact the league. Both Messi and Son are expected to play for their national teams during the summer. This means they will miss several MLS games, which could change the league standings.
Ben Wright of Six One Five Soccer notes that Columbus Crew will likely struggle because their coach, Wilfried Nancy, is gone. He describes the team as being in a state of transition. Similarly, Atlanta United and St. Louis City SC are described as teams that had poor results last year and are trying to fix their problems.
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Conclusion of Investigation
The evidence shows that the 2026 MLS season is divided between two major powers and a group of changing teams.
Fitness is the primary variable. The health of Lionel Messi is the most important factor for Inter Miami. His current injury makes their early season results uncertain.
Roster Quality. LAFC has improved their roster significantly with the signing of Son Heung-min, making them a balanced rival to Miami.
Coaching Impacts. The loss of high-quality coaches to European leagues is creating a gap in teams that were previously very strong, such as Columbus Crew.
It is not yet clear if Miami can maintain their success without a healthy Messi or if LAFC's tactical changes will lead to a championship. The next step for investigators is to monitor the final player transfer window and the official medical updates regarding player availability for the opening matches.
Primary Sources
MLS 2026 predictions: Messi v Son - The Guardian (Expert predictions for the season)
2026 MLS season preview - ESPN (Details on Miami's roster and player movements)
MLS 2026 season expert predictions - The Athletic (Specific analyst picks for MVP and Cup winner)
Major League Soccer 2026 season preview - Six One Five Soccer (Statistical breakdowns of team standings)
Inter Miami and Timo Werner - Marca (Information on transfer targets and Suarez's status)
Lionel Messi’s injury update - World Soccer Talk (Medical details on Messi's hamstring strain)
