MLS Kicks Off with James Rodriguez and Lionel Messi as Protagonists
Major League Soccer (MLS) begins its last season under the traditional annual calendar this weekend, with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami CF as the main favorite to defend the title. The season will also be marked by the arrival of new figures like James Rodriguez and by an unprecedented break of almost two months in the middle of the championship due to the 2026 North American World Cup.
TL;DR
- The 2026 MLS season is the last to use the traditional annual calendar.
- Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi, is the favorite to defend the title.
- New figures like James Rodriguez are joining the league.
- There will be a nearly two-month break in the middle of the season for the 2026 World Cup.
- Starting in July 2027, MLS will adopt a European calendar model.
- Inter Miami will debut their new stadium, 'Miami Freedom Park'.
- James Rodriguez joins Minnesota United FC with the goal of being in top form for the World Cup.
- The league will pause from May 25 to July 16 for the World Cup.
- World Cup winners like Messi and De Paul (2022) will participate, alongside stars like James and Son Heung-min.