Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min
2 June 2026
Major League Soccer will send a record 44 active players to the World Cup, the league’s highest total in its 33-year history. MLS also said 103 current or former league players will appear at the tournament.
Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min headline the group, while several squads carry heavy MLS influence. The league pointed to academy and MLS NEXT Pro pathways as evidence of broader player development growth before the tournament.