Lionel Messi Kicks Off the MLS Season in a Pivotal Year Leading Up to the World Cup
The Major League Soccer (MLS) season kicks off this Saturday with a spectacular match headlined by Argentine star Lionel Messi, just a few months ahead of the 2026 World Cup, an event that the North American league hopes to leverage for significant media momentum.
A key figure in the MLS, Messi begins his fourth season with Inter Miami against Los Angeles FC this Saturday at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, a venue with a capacity of 77,000 set to host events for the Olympic Games in two years.
This grand opener marks the start of a unique season that will be split in two due to the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Traditionally, the host countries of a World Cup experience a surge in interest for football and their national competitions. MLS leaders aim to keep American audiences engaged with “the beautiful game” beyond the World Cup, once the national teams head home.
The MLS commissioner, Don Garber, considers 2026 to be “a big year” for the league, banking on the impact of this global event to enhance the league’s visibility and attractiveness.
The championship will observe a seven-week break in June and July while several stadiums will be requisitioned by FIFA. Other facilities will serve as training centers and fan zones for the national teams.
The MLS intends to capitalize on this period with an extensive marketing campaign projected to cost between $15 million and $30 million, aiming to convert World Cup viewers into local club supporters and solidify the league’s reputation as an increasingly appealing destination for international stars.
A record number of MLS players is expected to participate in the World Cup, including Messi. At 38 years old, the participation of the Argentine captain, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner with his latest in 2022 in Qatar, remains uncertain for what could be his sixth World Cup.
Last season, Messi shone by leading Inter Miami to its first MLS title, finishing as the league’s top scorer and player.
