MLS has boldly stated that it will welcome a new generation of fans after the World Cup. But is the league really ready for the more aggressive changes needed to keep up with the global level?
Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami CF has given new impetus to MLS, fueling interest in the league around the world. His presence has not only raised the level of the game but also emphasized the league's need to adapt and evolve to new challenges, especially as the World Cup 2026 approaches.
Why it matters
MLS is in an important phase of change as it prepares for World Cup 2026. Reforms to the calendar and cost structure could have a major impact on the quality of MLS football and attracting more fans. With the arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF, the league received worldwide attention, which emphasized the need for significant changes.
Key Points
After the World Cup, MLS said “we are the.
MLS discusses calendar reforms, competition format, and roster cost structure after World Cup 2026.
MLS says it'll 'take it from here' after the World Cup. So where is the league going?.
As the World Cup enters its final week, Major League Soccer has pushed its biggest national ad campaign yet, tinged with the message: "Thank you, world—we'll take care of it." It's a message that the league will bounce back after the midseason break and is ready to embrace new followers. But an important question also arises: is MLS really ready to take on the challenge from here?
MLS was established as a direct result of the United States hosting the 1994 World Cup. In 32 years, it first struggled to survive and later solidified its foundation—billions of dollars in soccer-specific stadiums and facilities. The infrastructure is already there for the next step. However, despite eight years of preparation since North America was awarded the 2026 World Cup, the league is yet to make major changes after a very popular summer for football. Big moves—like the switch to a summer-to-spring calendar and a new competition format—are only lined up starting in 2027. And the biggest fix, overhauling the roster spending system, hasn't been decided yet.
According to commissioner Don Garber, MLS is focused on infrastructure expansion from 2018: eight more teams and several new stadiums. Some say the league has begun to take serious note of the same evolution too late. Discussions reportedly only progressed when Lionel Messi arrived in 2023. At the same time, the league will enter its first major leadership transition in nearly three decades—Garber's contract is set to expire in 2027 and a successor will be elected—while also negotiating with the MLS Players Association for collective bargaining.
In an interview with key decision-makers—including Garber, Orlando City owner Mark Wilf, NYCFC CEO/president Brad Sims, and three-time MLS Cup champion Garth Lagerwey—optimism about the league's future emerged, but they both acknowledged: a more aggressive stance is needed with risks. "The fun and uniqueness of MLS is that it constantly reinvents itself to seize opportunity," Garber said. He added that it is time to "invest in the product in a different way within the pitch" to attract more attention from the global market.
Lagerwey said more directly: "If you want it, it's now or never." The consensus is clear on one thing: there must be change. But what its exact form is, is not yet certain. there are also voices that want to be "stripped to the core," as Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said in a book about the "Messi effect." In a league with 30 different ownership groups—differing in pocket sizes, visions and ambitions—complete unanimity is rare, which makes the next commissioner critical.
There's no denying that the current MLS system is complex—rules have been tweaked over time to keep costs from spiraling and maintain competitive balance. For example, under the salary cap and cap hit, a team cannot sign a player whose total cap impact (salary, transfer fee, bonus) exceeds approximately $1.8 million unless a “designated player” (DP) spot is used. Many prime-year players around the world—often reliable squad players in other leagues—fall off the MLS radar.
Lagerwey pointed out that the total cost of some teams is also high compared to the mid-tier in Spain or France—not including giant clubs like Real Madrid or PSG—and TV money is often the big difference. He added, some rules also severely limit the development of youth (such as "homegrown territories") and even the reinvestment of income from the sale of players on the roster. The fragmentation of funding—general allocation, targeted allocation, under-22 initiative, DP, homegrown, senior and reserve roster—makes building a balanced team difficult and confusing for fans.
Many of the sporting directors believe a clear salary cap with ceilings and floors, more liberal use of funds across the roster, and retention of slots for DP-level stars would be preferable. There is no need to increase the total cost immediately; the distribution just needs to be more even to increase the quality within the pitch. "There can't be too much weight at the top and only the minimum included in the starting XI," emphasized Lagerwey. With this freedom, some teams will delve deeper into local player cultivation, and some will pursue big-name acquisitions—both paths that reap tangible benefits as the level of play rises.
There is also a question of identity: parity versus consent to a few powerhouses. Sims insists that, in many leagues, a few big names vie for television rights and global attention; MLS is trying to be the exception while maintaining a playoff system that inherently has upsets. Meanwhile, rising to the level of international competition remains a challenge—the MLS representatives' ticket to the 2029 Club World Cup has yet to be sealed after the 2025 and 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup campaigns—so a strategy that opens the door to stronger rosters while still respecting competitive balance is all the more necessary.
In the end, the question "we are in charge" requires concrete and bold but careful steps. MLS may have missed an immediate opportunity to ride the wave of the 2026 World Cup, so the test of getting everything in line by 2027 will be even tougher. How it assesses its spending policy, calendar and format—and who will lead this transition—will determine how far the league actually goes from here.
What's next
As MLS plans changes for 2027, teams like the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC must be ready for new challenges and opportunities. Talks about overhauling the roster spending system are ongoing, which could open the door for more league-wide development. These steps are important to maintain the momentum of interest in MLS and the future of soccer in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of MLS after the World Cup?
MLS's main message is 'Thank you, world—we'll take care of it,' which shows their determination to embrace new followers.
What are the planned changes to MLS after the 2026 World Cup?
Major changes such as the switch to a summer-to-spring calendar and a new competition format are only lined up starting in 2027.
Why is Lionel Messi important to the development of MLS?
Lionel Messi is considered an important factor in the progress of the discussion about the evolution of the league since his arrival in 2023.
What are MLS' plans for infrastructure?
MLS is focused on infrastructure expansion from 2018, with an additional eight teams and several new stadiums.
When will Don Garber's contract as MLS commissioner expire?
A
Don Garber's contract as MLS commissioner is set to expire in 2027.
What is the main message of MLS after the World Cup?
MLS's main message is 'Thank you, world—we're in charge,' showing their determination to embrace new followers.
What are the planned changes to MLS after World Cup 2026?
Major changes such as the switch to a summer-to-spring calendar and a new competition format are only lined up starting in 2027.
Why is Lionel Messi important to the development of MLS?
Lionel Messi is considered an important factor in the progress of the discussion about the evolution of the league since his arrival in 2023.
What are MLS' plans for infrastructure?
MLS is focused on infrastructure expansion from 2018, with an additional eight teams and several new stadiums.
When will Don Garber's contract as MLS commissioner expire?
Don Garber's contract as MLS commissioner is set to expire in 2027.
World Cup 2026MLSInter Miami CFNew England RevolutionOrlando City SCColumbus CrewNew York Red BullsPhiladelphia UnionDC UnitedLos Angeles GalaxyFC DallasPortland Timbers
