Quick Read
- MLS 2026 season kicks off this weekend, marking its 31st year.
- The season is a prelude to the co-hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF are reigning champions and could win up to five club trophies.
- New Apple TV features include ‘Walmart Saturday Showdown’ and all games free for subscribers.
- This is the final spring-to-fall MLS season before a calendar switch in 2027.
NEW YORK (Azat TV) – Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to kick off its 31st season this weekend, launching a pivotal year for North American soccer as the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare to co-host the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 mid-campaign. The season begins with reigning champions Inter Miami CF, led by global icon Lionel Messi, aiming for multiple trophies, alongside enhanced broadcast coverage available to Apple TV subscribers.
This season holds immense significance for MLS, serving as a crucial prelude to the World Cup, which is expected to galvanize fan interest and further establish soccer’s footprint in the region. The league will implement a seven-week mid-season break from May 25 through July 16 to accommodate the international tournament.
MLS 2026 Season Kicks Off Amid World Cup Buzz
The 2026 MLS season officially begins with a full slate of games this weekend, with all 30 teams taking the pitch for what Apple describes as “MLS is Back weekend.” The timing is particularly noteworthy as the league looks to capitalize on the excitement generated by the upcoming World Cup, which will culminate with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The league’s origins are deeply tied to the 1994 World Cup hosted by the U.S., and officials hope this year’s tournament will provide another significant boost to its growth and international standing, according to USA Today.
A new feature for fans is the “Walmart Saturday Showdown,” spotlighting a marquee matchup each Saturday, alongside the returning “Sunday Night Soccer” presented by Continental Tire. The inaugural Saturday Showdown on February 21 will feature Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF against Son Heung-min and LAFC at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum, a venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics. All MLS matches, including the playoffs and Leagues Cup, will be available to Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost, with integrated experiences across Apple’s ecosystem, including the Apple Sports app, Apple Music, and Apple Maps.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami: Trophy Aspirations
Inter Miami CF enters the 2026 season as the reigning MLS Cup champions, having secured the title in 2025 against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, is poised for a monumental year, with the potential to collect as many as five club trophies: the MLS Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield, Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup. Should he participate in the 2026 World Cup, a sixth trophy could be within reach, solidifying his status as the sport’s greatest of all time.
Despite the retirement of club icons Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami made strategic offseason acquisitions, notably bringing in forward Germán Berterame from Monterrey and Dayne St. Clair, the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. The club will also open its new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, on April 4, hosting Austin FC.
Key Challengers and New MLS Talent
While Inter Miami remains the team to beat, several clubs are positioned to challenge their dominance. Los Angeles FC (LAFC), despite a change in coaching staff with Marc Dos Santos taking over from Steve Cherundolo, is expected to contend with key players like Son Heung-min, Denis Bouanga, and veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Their local rivals, the LA Galaxy, have also reloaded their roster after missing the playoffs in 2025, adding former MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes and striker João Klauss.
The Seattle Sounders, known for their consistency, won the Leagues Cup final last year and are perennial contenders. The Vancouver Whitecaps, who reached both the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup finals in 2025, also feature German legend Thomas Müller and aim to build on their success despite ongoing off-field ownership issues. FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew are strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, with the Crew welcoming new coach Henrik Rydström.
The league also welcomes several high-profile newcomers. Colombian international James Rodriguez has joined Minnesota United, hoping to use MLS as a platform for the 2026 World Cup. German striker Timo Werner, formerly a national team prospect, has signed with the San Jose Earthquakes.
MLS Broadcast Enhancements and Future Calendar Shifts
Beyond the domestic league, MLS teams will also compete in the Leagues Cup, an expanded tournament featuring 36 teams (18 from MLS, 18 from Liga MX). Due to the World Cup, the Leagues Cup will kick off later this year on August 4, with the final on September 6. For the first time, matches will be held in Mexico, potentially signaling a future shift towards a winter break schedule for MLS, aligning with major European leagues.
The U.S. Open Cup, a historic competition dating back to 1913, will see 16 MLS teams participate alongside 80 other professional and amateur clubs. The winner secures a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. This 2026 season marks the final spring-to-fall calendar for MLS. Starting in 2027, the league plans a ‘sprint’ season from February to May, followed by its first summer-to-spring season in July, a significant move designed to integrate MLS further into the international club soccer ecosystem, according to Apple Newsroom.
The 2026 MLS season is more than just another year of professional soccer; it represents a strategic inflection point for the league, leveraging the immense spotlight of the co-hosted FIFA World Cup to amplify its global presence and redefine its competitive and broadcast landscape for years to come.