sports
MLS Seeks Growth Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Major League Soccer has expanded to 30 teams since 1996 but faces questions about further growth. The 2026 World Cup offers a potential boost similar to the 1994 tournament that led to the league's founding.
May 27, 5:00 AM·1m read1 source
The GuardianAudio version
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Major League Soccer has grown from its start in 1996 to 30 teams with dedicated fanbases and soccer-specific stadiums. The league has developed youth academies and participates in the international transfer market. The 1994 World Cup required the creation of a top-division professional league in the United States as a condition for hosting.
That tournament directly resulted in the establishment of MLS.
MLS budgets remain below those of Europe's top leagues.
The league has encountered limits on further expansion despite steady growth in infrastructure and fan support. Television ratings data are not fully public because most matches air on the Apple TV subscription service. European leagues and Mexico's Liga MX maintain higher visibility in the United States than MLS.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Unlike 1994, tournament revenue will not be directed to MLS development. Several MLS clubs have signed players whose contracts end around the World Cup, including Son Heung-min at Los Angeles FC, James Rodriguez at Minnesota United, Marco Reus at LA Galaxy, and Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps.
Antoine Griezmann's move to Orlando City has been agreed. The league has also been linked with additional players leaving European clubs, among them Robert Lewandowski, Casemiro, Mohamed Salah, and Bernardo Silva.
