Major League Soccer (MLS) begins its 2026 season this weekend. This year is important because the United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the World Cup this summer. The league is using this global event to try to get more people to watch domestic soccer. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami enter the season as the defending champions after winning the MLS Cup in December. The opening game features a match between Inter Miami and LAFC, who have added South Korean star Son Heung-min to their team. This season also serves as the final year before the league changes its yearly schedule to match the timing used in Europe.
Timeline of Key Events
February 21, 2026: Regular season begins.
April 4, 2026: Inter Miami opens its new stadium, Miami Freedom Park.
May 24, 2026: League play stops for the World Cup break.
July 16, 2026: League play starts again three days before the World Cup final.
July 29, 2026: MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte.
November 2026: Regular season ends.
"World Cup host countries typically see boosts in attendance and interest for their domestic leagues, and MLS bosses are determined to keep US eyeballs on the planet's biggest sport." — AFP Report
Performance and Team Growth
The league has seen a rise in spending to bring in younger players and established stars from European leagues. Inter Miami continues to build around Lionel Messi, who earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award last year.
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| Player | New Team | Transfer Fee / Status |
|---|---|---|
| German Berterame | Inter Miami | $15 Million |
| Facundo Torres | Austin FC | $9.5 Million |
| Louis Munteanu | DC United | $10 Million |
| James Rodriguez | Minnesota United | New Signing |
| Timo Werner | San Jose Earthquakes | New Signing |
The league will pause for nearly two months during the World Cup to allow players to join their national teams and to avoid competing with World Cup match times.
The Role of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami
Lionel Messi finished the previous season with 29 goals, winning the Golden Boot. While he has won the MLS Cup, there is no official confirmation yet on whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup for Argentina.
Miami Freedom Park: The team will move from their temporary home to a new stadium on April 4.
New Roster Members: Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Reguilon have joined the team following the retirements of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Opening Match: Inter Miami faces LAFC at the Los Angeles Coliseum. This match is highlighted by the meeting of Messi and Son Heung-min.
Changes to the League Schedule
The 2026 season is the last time MLS will use its current calendar. In 2027, the league will move to a "summer-to-spring" schedule.
The World Cup Break
The league will stop games after May 24. It will return on July 16, which is after the World Cup semi-finals but before the final match. Some matches will be shown on FOX networks during the days surrounding the World Cup final to capture the interest of soccer fans.
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Transition Period
To make the change to the new calendar, MLS will play a short 14-game season from February to May in 2027. This change is intended to align the league with the international soccer market.
Probing the Impact on National Teams
The 2026 season will determine which MLS players earn spots on World Cup rosters.
Will the high number of matches in a "congested" late-season schedule lead to more player injuries before or after the World Cup?
How will the presence of five MLS stadiums acting as World Cup venues affect the quality of the playing surfaces for local league games?
With Mexico and Canada also hosting, will their national teams rely more heavily on MLS-based players than in previous years?
Expert Analysis
Investigators and sports analysts point to the financial growth of the league as a sign of its goals.
Gerardo "Tata" Martino, coach of Inter Miami, will lead his first competitive game of the year against FC Cincinnati on February 21. His leadership is noted as a steadying force for a team with high global expectations.
League Officials have stated that they are "cashing in" on the spike in interest. By scheduling the return of the league just before the World Cup final, they hope to transition international fans into domestic league fans.
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Conclusion
The 2026 MLS season is a bridge between the league’s past and its future. The data shows record spending on new talent and a clear plan to use the World Cup as a marketing tool. Lionel Messi remains the central figure for the league's growth, though his future with the Argentina national team for the summer tournament is not yet certain.
The move to a new stadium for Inter Miami and the upcoming change to a European-style schedule in 2027 suggest the league is moving toward a more global standard. The success of this season will likely be measured by whether fan interest stays high after the World Cup trophy is raised in July.
Sources
AFP / RFI: Messi kicks off MLS season in key World Cup year - Context on league growth and World Cup host benefits.
FOX Sports: Top 5 MLS Storylines - Details on Messi's repeat attempt and national team spots.
NBC Sports: MLS season preview: How to watch - Comprehensive list of new player signings and transfer fees.
The Athletic: MLS 2026 schedule: Key dates - Specific dates for the World Cup break and broadcast details.
USA Today: MLS reveals 2026 schedule - Information on the LA Coliseum kickoff and the 30th anniversary of the league.
CBS Sports: MLS announce 2026 schedule - Details on the move to a summer-to-spring schedule in 2027.
FIFA Online: Messi’s latest milestone year - Statistics on Messi's 29-goal haul and MLS Cup victory.
