Lionel Messi Kicks Off MLS Season Ahead of World Cup

Argentina star Lionel Messi began the Major League Soccer (MLS) season with Inter Miami against Los Angeles FC, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The season will pause for seven weeks during the tournament before resuming, concluding with an All-Star Game.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the World Cup presents a unique opportunity to grow the league’s profile. New international signings, including South Korea’s Son Heung-min and Germany’s Timo Werner, have strengthened MLS’s global appeal.

The league plans to switch to a summer-to-spring schedule in 2027 to align with European leagues and optimise transfer windows, though analysts warn it may intensify competition with other major US sports leagues.