ไทย
English
中國人
The 2026 World Cup brought more than 1,000 footballers to North American soil, and for many, it meant training at Major League Soccer venues, giving some of the planet's elite talents their first real exposure to MLS in some capacity.
With the tournament generating enormous attention around the sport, there's optimism it can drive MLS viewership and beyond, as the league ranked sixth among all competitions represented across the global game. Now, with a fresh World Cup cycle beginning, could some of the tournament's standout performers be heading to the 30-club U.S. top flight?
Already, the San Jose Earthquakes have secured Scottish goalkeeper Aaron Gunn and moved on from former starter Daniél. There could be many others who follow a comparable route.
Here, Sports Illustrated examines some names MLS clubs could look to attract.
Elijah Just—New Zealand
What is the World Cup if not a platform for emerging stars? That's precisely what New Zealand winger Elijah Just made of this summer's competition, finding the net three times across as many matches. He bagged a brace in New Zealand's opening 2–2 stalemate with Iran, then added another in a 5–1 loss to Belgium.
At 26, he's arguably at the peak of his powers and has already impressed in the Scottish Championship with Motherwell, registering seven goals and seven assists across 35 appearances in 2025–26.
While he's contracted through 2027 in Scotland, the left winger should be within financial reach for any MLS side looking to make a move, and he would join fellow All Whites Michael Boxall and Finn Surman in the league after all three shone at the World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku—Belgium
Romelu Lukaku may no longer be capable of playing a full 90 minutes, but why wouldn't an MLS club be drawn to a striker who netted three goals in just 230 minutes at this year's World Cup? Not to mention he's one of the defining goalscorers of his generation.
A genuine superstar during his spells at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Manchester United, Lukaku finally appears to be back at full fitness and ready to contribute. In MLS, where many defenders come from a lower level, why wouldn't he want to prove he can keep scoring at an elite rate?
Back in 2021, he name-dropped LAFC, LA Galaxy, New York City FC and Inter Miami. A move to LAFC or the Galaxy seems unlikely at this stage, but signing on as NYCFC's marquee player for the inaugural season at Etihad Park in 2027 could be a real possibility.
Christian Pulisic—USMNT
This would be a monumental decision that could reshape the USMNT landscape following its disappointing 2026 World Cup exit. After failing to score in the second half of the 2025–26 campaign with AC Milan and underwhelming at his home World Cup, could Christian Pulisic—arguably America's finest club-level player—make the move to MLS?
The 27-year-old has struggled to meet expectations for some time now, and MLS clubs would be willing to invest heavily to land the most recognizable American name in the sport. Dropping down to the MLS level would likely suit him well and keep him in a prominent position with the USMNT—much as Messi has been with Inter Miami and Argentina, though Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.
Pulisic in MLS feels inevitable at some point. Right now? Probably not. Still, that doesn't mean clubs won't make a push with a lucrative offer to try to bring him over immediately, even as he recovers from a micro-fracture and bone bruise to the right tibia/fibula.
Gio Reyna—USMNT
Gio Reyna is an undeniably gifted player—it's precisely why Mauricio Pochettino included him in the World Cup squad. Yet Reyna has also been chasing a level that has exceeded his current form, having failed to nail down regular minutes over each of the past three seasons with Borussia Dortmund and last year with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the German Bundesliga.
At 23, it's clear the technically gifted attacker needs a catalyst to revive his career, which risks being squandered if he continues warming the bench in Europe. A spell in MLS could reignite his form, providing him with consistent minutes and potentially opening the door to another European chapter ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
In the short term, a return to NYCFC could be on the table if they're seeking a new DP following 39-year-old Maxi Moralez's season-ending ACL injury. That said, other interested parties could include Austin FC, LAFC or even LA Galaxy, who recently parted ways with DP winger Gabriel Pec.
Mohamed Salah—Egypt
For two years, Mohamed Salah has been connected to MLS. At various points, San Diego FC has been mentioned, and most recently Sporting Kansas City, whom The Athletic reported were the "top suitors" should the Egyptian icon choose to head stateside in the near future. Either way, a decision will need to come soon, with his World Cup campaign wrapped up and seasons resuming across North America, Europe and Saudi Arabia, where he reportedly holds enormous offers.
While his 257 goals in 442 appearances for Liverpool were more than enough to make him appealing to any MLS club seeking attacking quality, this World Cup may have strengthened his affinity for North America more than ever. He celebrated in the streets of Vancouver after helping Egypt to the nation's historic first-ever World Cup victory and even joked, "Maybe I'll live here one day," when asked about his experience on the West Coast.
SKC appears to be the frontrunner for now, but LA Galaxy could enter the picture following the Pec departure, as could the Vancouver Whitecaps, if a potentially rumored new owner looks to bring one of the city's World Cup heroes as an early statement signing ... should the club remain available.