MLS representation at the World Cup

By Kwame Ofori — 3 June 2026 — 5 min read

MLS representation at the World Cup

Major League Soccer (MLS) will be well-represented at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which is being held in North America. The league is set to send 44 players to the tournament, making it the seventh-highest contributing league globally. This marks an increase from 32 players in 2022 and 19 players in 2018, indicating a growing presence on the international stage.

This expansion in representation is partly attributed to the tournament’s larger format, featuring 48 teams, which naturally increases the pool of players and qualifying nations. Both the United States and Canada, who did not qualify for the 2018 tournament, will participate as host nations, contributing to the higher number of MLS players.

Among the notable players from MLS clubs participating are Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, who will lead Argentina‘s title defense, and his club teammate Rodrigo De Paul. LAFC’s Son Heung-min, 33, will spearhead South Korea’s efforts. Additionally, James Rodriguez, 34, is still technically a Minnesota United player, though he will depart the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

The United States and Canada national teams will each include eight players from MLS clubs. Beyond these established names, the league’s contingent also features emerging talents such as South Africa‘s center-back duo Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union and Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Chicago Fire, alongside Australia defender Lucas Herrington of Colorado Rapids. These selections highlight a diversification in the age profile of MLS players heading to the World Cup.

MLS alumni making their mark

The league’s influence extends beyond its current roster, with 103 players across 24 countries at the upcoming World Cup having either developed in MLS academies or played at the professional level within the league. These players honed their skills in MLS before moving to some of the world’s major leagues.

One such player is Tyler Adams, who played for Red Bull New York from 2016-18 before moving to RB Leipzig and now plays for AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League. He is considered a significant player for the USMNT. Another example is Ricardo Pepi, who starred for FC Dallas in 2021, earning the MLS Young Player of the Year award before transferring to FC Augsburg and later to PSV Eindhoven.

Brenden Aaronson, a midfielder who signed a homegrown contract with Philadelphia Union at 17 years old, was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year and later earned a move to RB Salzburg before joining Leeds United. Mark McKenzie, a center-back, spent three seasons as a Philadelphia Union homegrown player, making 48 MLS appearances and guiding the Union to the Supporters’ Shield title in 2020, which led to his move to Genk and then Toulouse FC.

Alex Freeman, who emerged as a starting right-back for Orlando City, was named an All-Star, Best XI selection, and MLS Young Player of the Year, eventually joining Villarreal CF. Other notable MLS alumni include Weston McKennie (FC Dallas), Gio Reyna (New York City FC), and Chris Richards (FC Dallas).

Alphonso Davies, arguably one of MLS’s most well-known exports, began his professional career with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, signing his homegrown contract at 15 years old. After a successful period in Vancouver, Davies joined Bayern Munich for a reported fee of up to $22 million, where he has won multiple titles, including seven Bundesliga titles, the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2020 UEFA Champions League.

Ismaël Koné, a promising midfielder for Canada, signed with CF Montréal in 2021 and quickly moved to Watford in 2023, later playing for Marseille, Rennes, and Sassuolo. Tajon Buchanan, a winger who rose to prominence with New England Revolution, secured a club-record transfer to Club Brugge before moving to Inter Milan and then Villarreal CF.

Nathan Saliba, a CF Montréal homegrown player, made 78 appearances across all competitions for the club from 2023-25, leading to a move to Anderlecht. Tani Oluwaseyi, selected 17th overall in the 2022 SuperDraft by Minnesota United, broke out in the 2024 season and joined Villarreal CF.

Brian Gutiérrez, a Chicago Fire homegrown player, helped his club reach the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017 before joining Chivas de Guadalajara in Liga MX. Obed Vargas, an Alaska native, made his MLS debut at 15 years old with Seattle Sounders FC and helped the team win the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2022, the only such title won by an MLS club in the last two decades. Vargas later secured a move to Atlético Madrid after the 2025 season.

The league’s growth and future outlook

While MLS’s representation at the World Cup is at an all-time high, the league continues to evolve within the global football hierarchy. Investment and quality have increased, though not as rapidly as some had anticipated. The league has not yet reached a stage where key players in their prime from top footballing nations like Spain, England, Germany, France, Argentina, or Brazil typically join.

However, it is considered realistic for MLS to attract key starters from countries in the next tier, particularly from South American nations such as Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia, given the league’s recruitment efforts in the continent. Nations like Japan and Switzerland are also seen as potential sources for quality players.

The 2026 World Cup presents a significant opportunity for MLS to further engage football fans. Games this season have been available outside the additional Apple TV paywall, and the league plans to resume play between the World Cup semifinals and final, with some matches broadcast on Fox, aiming to leverage the tournament’s momentum. The presence of stars like Messi, De Paul, and Son is expected to be foundational for continued growth, with the secondary level of quality players also crucial for expanding MLS’s footprint towards the 2030 World Cup.