The upcoming Major League Soccer season promises to be historic in many ways. Fans will watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami attempt to defend their MLS Cup title. At the same time, Messi will also be preparing for another World Cup run this summer in what will be the largest tournament ever staged.
There are plenty of additional reasons to follow the new campaign, which begins on Saturday with a full schedule of matches, including a nationally televised clash between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United.
Here are five major storylines to watch as the 2026 season begins:
Another Trophy Haul For Lionel Messi?
The last image of Messi came in December at the 2025 MLS Cup final, when he and his Inter Miami teammates celebrated with champagne after lifting the league’s biggest prize.
The spotlight will once again be firmly on the GOAT at the start of 2026.
Messi has said his involvement with Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will depend on how his body holds up during the early part of the MLS season. Turning 39 this summer, the legend has already dealt with minor fitness issues in preseason, with Inter Miami even canceling a friendly in Puerto Rico because he was unable to feature.
Even so, expectations remain that the Albiceleste captain will do everything possible to be ready when Argentina begins defending the World Cup title it won four years ago — now on home soil.
World Cup Audition For Key USA Players
While Orlando City recently transferred young defender Alex Freeman to Villarreal, the opening months of the MLS season will be critical for several American-based players hoping to secure spots in Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad.
Leading the group are captain Tim Ream, goalkeepers Matt Freese (New York City FC) and Matt Turner (New England Revolution), left back Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), midfielders Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) and Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), and forward Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake).
Also on the edge of contention are Crew keeper Patrick Schulte, FC Cincinnati pair Roman Celentano and Miles Robinson, and Toronto FC defender Walker Zimmerman. Several others remain in the conversation for March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal and the final 26-man roster.
Based on squad selections from the second half of last year, as many as 10 MLS players could make the U.S. roster. The final list remains to be seen.
MLS Representation on Canada and Mexico Squads?
The focus is not only on American players. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, MLS produced more participants than any league outside Europe’s top five competitions.
That figure is expected to grow this summer. Although most of Canada’s projected starting lineup will come from Europe, their goalkeeper is likely to be either Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair or Orlando City’s Maxime Crépeau. Competition is intense, with Chicago Fire’s Joel Waterman, Portland Timbers’ Kamal Miller, and LAFC duo Mathieu Choiniere and Jacob Shaffelburg all pushing for places under coach Jesse Marsch.
Mexico, another host nation, may also include players with MLS ties. German Berterame, who recently joined Miami after success with Monterrey, is a candidate for the squad. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, whose future with San Diego FC remains uncertain due to internal issues, is also in contention.
More Big Summer Signings Ahead?
Minnesota United made headlines earlier this month by signing Colombian star James Rodriguez. The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder joined only through June, seeing MLS as ideal preparation for the World Cup.
He followed last summer’s blockbuster arrivals such as Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Son Heung-min (LAFC), and Thomas Müller (Vancouver). More global stars could arrive once the World Cup concludes.
High-profile names like Kevin De Bruyne, Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah, and even Cristiano Ronaldo have all been linked as possible future targets. MLS is approaching a point where it can attract elite players still near their peak years. De Paul, for example, joined Miami at age 31 and quickly led the club to an MLS Cup title by scoring the decisive goal against Vancouver.
This winter also saw the San Jose Earthquakes land striker Timo Werner. Although he sought a fresh start after limited opportunities in Europe, the German international still has 24 goals in 57 appearances and is only 29 years old.
Alignment With European Soccer Calendar
For its first three decades, MLS — founded in 1996 — operated on a spring-to-fall schedule. That will change in 2027, when the league shifts to align with the European calendar that runs from late summer through spring.
As a result, the 2026 season will be the final campaign under the league’s traditional format. The adjustment is expected to reshape the competition and make it easier for clubs to sign top talent by matching international transfer windows with Europe’s major leagues.
