ไทย
English
中國人
Just before hosting soccer's most prestigious global competition, Major League Soccer has achieved a landmark milestone.
The top American division, which also includes three Canadian clubs, will have 44 active players participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer — the highest number in league history and an increase from the previous record of 36 active players at the 2022 Qatar tournament, cementing the league's status as a rising destination for elite soccer talent. Those 44 players represent 21 clubs across the league and 17 different nations.
The upcoming competition, jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will feature 103 total players who have had stints in MLS, further highlighting the league as an effective pipeline for player development.
The U.S. men's national team alone carries eight MLS players on its squad, including likely starting goalkeeper Matt Freese of New York City FC and experienced captain Tim Ream of Charlotte FC. Canada's national team similarly features eight MLS players, among them Inter Miami's standout goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. Perhaps most notably, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul of Inter Miami will look to defend their championship with Argentina.
With soccer enjoying heightened attention across the U.S. this summer, MLS has a remarkable chance to elevate its profile, as a number of World Cup fixtures will be held in MLS home venues, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of Atlanta United; Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Sounders; and BC Place, home of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Furthermore, having numerous active players on the world stage will only amplify the league's continued growth.
World Cup Previews
All 48 Teams
Bespoke Illustrations
Healthy Competition Between MLS Teammates
Vancouver Whitecaps standout midfielder Sebastian Berhalter has made a stunning impact in MLS this season, earning his spot at the World Cup. The 25-year-old — son of current Chicago Fire head coach and former USMNT World Cup manager Gregg Berhalter — has tallied six goals and seven assists across 14 league appearances so far and is set to make his World Cup debut with the USMNT this month.
While widely expected to come off the bench behind stars such as Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Malik Tillman, Berhalter appears to be pushing for a starting role. He was named in the starting lineup for the USMNT's most recent friendly, a 3–2 win over Senegal on Sunday, playing 76 minutes — more than any other player in the Stars and Stripes — while demonstrating his dynamic box-to-box ability.
If he takes the field in the U.S.'s opening Group D clash against Paraguay on June 12, he could find himself matched up against fellow Vancouver midfielder Andrés Cubas, one of three MLS players on Paraguay's roster. Atlanta United's Matías Galarza and Miguel Almirón are also set to feature for the South American nation.