MLS sends record 44 active players to 2026 World Cup

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MLS will be represented by a record 44 active players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most of any league in the Western Hemisphere. The league also announced that 103 current and former MLS players will compete in the tournament, highlighting the growing impact of MLS clubs, academies, and MLS NEXT Pro on the global stage.

United States World Cup Roster Reveal

MLS reaches new World Cup milestone

Major League Soccer announced a record 44 active players have been named to FIFA World Cup 2026 rosters, the most in the league's 33-year history. The league has more World Cup participants than any pro league in the Western Hemisphere. MLS is No. 2 among leagues outside the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Serie A. In total, 103 players at the tournament have spent time in MLS.

Alex Freeman Orlando City 2025

MLS development pathway continues to grow

MLS highlighted the impact of its player development with 42 current or former players at the World Cup, having come through the league through an academy or MLS NEXT Pro. The league said Alex Freeman, Rayan Elloumi and Esmir Bajraktarević became the first players to progress from MLS NEXT to MLS NEXT Pro, make first-team debuts and later earn spots on World Cup rosters.

Weston McKennie USMNT

North American teams benefit from MLS talent

According to MLS, 79 percent of the players named to the United States and Canada World Cup squads have played in MLS, developed in an MLS academy or both. The league also reported exactly half of the combined U.S. and Canada rosters came through MLS academies, a significant milestone for North American player development.

Morocco v Paraguay - International Friendly

Clubs represented across the globe

MLS stated 21 clubs will be represented at the World Cup, the most of any domestic league worldwide. LAFC leads all MLS clubs with four call-ups, while players from 17 countries across six continents will represent MLS on soccer's biggest stage. The league's representation spans 11 of the tournament's 12 groups.