MLS Holds Major Season Break to Ensure Complete Rosters for 2026 World Cup
Major League Soccer (MLS) has made the decision to halt its season during the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This move was taken to prevent incomplete rosters for its teams during the highly anticipated competition, a league executive revealed on Wednesday.
Brad Pursel, the MLS senior vice president of game schedule management, disclosed the league’s plans to ESPN. The exact duration of the season break has not been officially determined yet. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from July 11 to 19, overlapping with the MLS season that usually runs from February to October, with playoffs in November and December.
In past seasons, MLS has continued its season during outside tournaments but breaks for events like the Leagues Cup, a competition between MLS and Liga MX teams. However, this year MLS continued matches during the Copa America, causing star players such as Lionel Messi to leave their MLS teams to represent their countries.
Looking ahead to future seasons, the league is considering making adjustments to the schedule in order to avoid losing key players to conflicting tournaments. Meanwhile, Orlando City SC will face NYCFC in the first MLS game of the upcoming weekend at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Friday at Yankee Stadium. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV.
