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Lionel Messi will spearhead a record-breaking contingent from Major League Soccer (MLS), as 44 active players from the league have been chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squads — the highest number ever for any league in the Western Hemisphere. The league further revealed that 103 current and former MLS players will participate in the tournament, underlining the expanding influence of MLS clubs, youth academies, and the MLS NEXT Pro system on global football.

MLS achieves new World Cup record

Major League Soccer confirmed that 44 active players have been named to FIFA World Cup 2026 rosters, marking the largest representation in its 33-year existence. Among professional leagues in the Western Hemisphere, MLS boasts the most World Cup participants. Globally, it ranks second among leagues outside Europe’s traditional top five — the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and Serie A. In total, 103 players participating in the upcoming tournament have previously played in MLS.

MLS player development continues to make strides

The league also emphasised the growing success of its player development structure, noting that 42 current or former players at the tournament have progressed through the MLS system — either via academies or through MLS NEXT Pro. MLS pointed out that Alex Freeman, Rayan Elloumi, and Esmir Bajraktarević became the first footballers to move from MLS NEXT to MLS NEXT Pro, make their senior team debuts, and subsequently earn places in World Cup squads.

North American national teams strengthened by MLS pipeline

According to MLS data, 79 percent of players selected for the United States and Canada World Cup squads have either played in MLS, developed in its academies, or both. Notably, half of the combined U.S. and Canada rosters have roots in MLS academies, a major achievement for regional player development and North America’s growing football infrastructure.

Global club representation from MLS

MLS reported that 21 of its clubs will have representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — more than any other domestic league worldwide. LAFC leads the list with four players called up, while footballers from 17 nations across six continents will represent MLS on the world’s biggest stage. The league’s presence extends across 11 of the tournament’s 12 groups, showcasing its truly international reach.