MLS Players Set a New Record at the 2026 World Cup

For the first time in history, Major League Soccer will send 44 active players to a World Cup, underscoring the league’s meteoric rise on the global stage. That number eclipses the 36 MLS participants (plus one MLS Next Pro player) at Qatar 2022 and marks a milestone for a competition returning to North America for the first time since 1994.

The Evolution of MLS Since 1994

When the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994, MLS didn’t yet exist. Fast-forward to 2026, and the league has evolved from a fledgling domestic competition into a talent pipeline that has developed or employed more than 100 World Cup–caliber players. MLS academies, MLS Next Pro teams and international signings have all contributed to a roster of athletes ready to compete at the highest level.

Host Nations Lean on MLS Talent

Canada and the United States lead all countries with eight MLS representatives apiece, while Mexico also features prominently. In Group D—home to the USMNT—Paraguay brings four MLS players and Australia fields three. This distribution highlights MLS’s impact not only on CONCACAF teams but also on global powerhouses.

Superstars and Rising Figures

Headlining the MLS contingent are Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, both captains of Argentina, alongside James Rodríguez (Colombia) and Son Heung-min (South Korea). On the U.S. side, veterans like Tim Ream and up-and-comers such as Matt Turner and Miles Robinson will aim to make deep runs. Canada relies on multiple LAFC and Toronto FC assets, while Uruguay, Croatia and Colombia also showcase MLS influence on squads ranked inside the world’s top 20.

MLS Players on World Cup Rosters

• Group A
  • Olwethu Makanhya (Philadelphia Union / South Africa)
  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire / South Africa)
  • Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC / South Korea)
• Group B
  • Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC / Canada)
  • Stephen Eustaquio (Los Angeles FC / Canada)
  • Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles FC / Canada)
  • Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City SC / Canada)
  • Richie Laryea (Toronto FC / Canada)
  • Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC / Canada)
  • Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami / Canada)
  • Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire / Canada)
• Group C
  • Derrick Etienne Jr. (Toronto FC / Haiti)
  • Danley Jean-Jacques (Philadelphia Union / Haiti)
  • Don Dedeus Louicius (FC Dallas / Haiti)
• Group D
  • Lucas Harrington (Colorado Rapids / Australia)
  • Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC / Australia)
  • Kai Trewin (New York City FC / Australia)
  • Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United / Paraguay)
  • Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps / Paraguay)
  • Matías Galarza (Atlanta United / Paraguay)
  • Braian Ojeda (Orlando City SC / Paraguay)
  • Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew / United States)
  • Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps / United States)
  • Chris Brady (Chicago Fire FC / United States)
  • Matt Freese (New York City FC / United States)
  • Tim Ream (Charlotte FC / United States)
  • Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati / United States)
  • Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC / United States)
  • Matt Turner (New England Revolution / United States)
• Group F
  • Herman Johansson (FC Dallas / Sweden)
  • Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps / Tunisia)
• Group G
  • Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC / New Zealand)
  • Finn Surman (Portland Timbers / New Zealand)
• Group H
  • CJ dos Santos (San Diego FC / Cabo Verde)
  • Steven Morịra (Columbus Crew / Cabo Verde)
  • Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake / Uruguay)
• Group I
  • Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC / Iraq)
• Group J
  • Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami / Argentina)
  • Lionel Messi (Inter Miami / Argentina)
• Group K
  • James Rodríguez (Minnesota United FC / Colombia)
• Group L
  • Petar Musa (FC Dallas / Croatia)
  • Marco Pasalic (Orlando City SC / Croatia)
  • Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC / Panama)
  • Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United FC / Panama)

Implications for MLS’s Future

With 44 participants and marquee names leading the way, MLS has a chance to showcase its training infrastructure, stadiums and player development programs on soccer’s biggest platform. As the tournament unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the league’s global appeal will only strengthen, paving the way for new signings, expanded academies and deeper fan engagement.