This summer, Major League Soccer will be represented by a record 44 active players at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the most players from any league in the Western Hemisphere and another significant milestone in league history.
In total, 103 players competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 have spent time in Major League Soccer, highlighting the league’s growing role as a destination for elite international talent and a proven development pathway for players competing on soccer’s biggest stage. Among the 103 current and former MLS players competing at this summer’s tournament are 42 players who developed through the MLS player pathway, either at an MLS academy or in MLS NEXT Pro.
MLS at FIFA World Cup 2026 by the Numbers
- 44 active MLS players named to FIFA World Cup 2026 rosters, the most in league history
- Most players from any league in the Western Hemisphere and the second-most outside of the top five European leagues
- 21 MLS clubs represented, the most of any domestic league in the world, led by LAFC with an MLS-high four call-ups
- 17 different countries represented across six continents
- Player representation in 11 of the 12 FIFA World Cup 2026 groups
- 103 players at the tournament have spent time with an MLS club
- 42 current or former players developed through the MLS player pathway
MLS Player Pathway Makes an Impact
The 42 players who came through the MLS player pathway highlights the league’s investment in player development through MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT. Of these players, Alex Freeman (United States; Villarreal), Rayan Elloumi (Tunisia; Vancouver Whitecaps FC) and Esmir Bajraktarević (Bosnia and Herzegovina; PSV) became the first in league history to play in MLS NEXT, progress to MLS NEXT Pro, make their first-team debuts, and later earn a spot on a FIFA World Cup roster.
19 players at this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026 will have spent time in MLS NEXT Pro, illustrating the remarkable growth of the league since its launch in 2022. Those players combined for more than 300 MLS NEXT Pro appearances and 50 goals scored.
United States and Canada Rosters Powered by MLS
Of the 52 players named to the U.S. and Canada World Cup rosters, 79% have either played in MLS, developed in an MLS academy, or both. This also highlights the growth of MLS academies as for the first time, exactly half of the U.S. and Canada World Cup rosters (26-of-52) have come up through the league’s academy system. The two rosters have combined for more than 3,000 regular-season games played, 300 goals scored and 15 MLS All-Star appearances. The record representation comes as North America hosts the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1994 and underscores MLS' growing influence on the global game.
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