Top 5 MLS Storylines: Messi Eyes More Titles, USA Players Seek World Cup Spots
#MLS 2026#Lionel Messi#World Cup 2026#Inter Miami#US National Team#James Rodriguez#MLS Calendar Change#International Signings
📌 Key Takeaways
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami aim to defend their MLS Cup title while preparing for the 2026 World Cup
Multiple US-based MLS players are using the season to audition for spots on the national team's World Cup roster
MLS continues to attract international stars with James Rodriguez joining and other big names potentially following after the World Cup
This is the final MLS season under the traditional calendar before switching to align with European soccer in 2027
📖 Full Retelling
As the 2026 Major League Soccer season kicks off across the United States and Canada this February, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami as they aim to defend their MLS Cup championship while several US-based players use the campaign to audition for spots in this summer's FIFA World Cup, the largest in history to be hosted across North America. The spotlight remains firmly on Messi, who turns 39 in the summer and has already faced some injury concerns during preseason. The Argentine legend's participation in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina hinges on his fitness during the early part of the MLS campaign. Despite injury worries that forced Inter Miami to cancel a friendly in Puerto Rico, expectations remain high that Messi will captain his country in defending the World Cup title they won four years ago. Beyond Messi, the MLS season serves as a crucial proving ground for several US players aiming to make Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup roster. Key candidates include captain Tim Ream, goalkeepers Matt Freese and Matt Turner, left back Max Arfsten, midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and Cristian Roldan, and forward Diego Luna. Players on the bubble include Crew keeper Patrick Schulte, FC Cincinnati duo Roman Celentano and Miles Robinson, and Toronto FC centerback Walker Zimmerman. With up to 10 MLS-based players expected to make the final squad, the coming months will determine who gets the opportunity to represent the US in the World Cup.
🏷️ Themes
World Cup Preparation, International Player Movement, League Evolution
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (lit. 'Miami International Football Club'), commonly referred to as Inter Miami, is an American professional soccer club based in Miami. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami plays their home matches at Mi...
James David Rodríguez Rubio (born 12 July 1991) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United and captains the Colombia national team. Regarded as one of the best Colombian players of all time, he has been praised ...
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, Messi has set numerous records for indiv...
List of sports-related pages with the same or similar names
# United States National Team
The **United States national team**, commonly known as **Team USA**, refers to any of the various sports teams that represent the United States in international competitions. These teams are typically composed of U.S. citizens and represent the nation in events such as...
- No Data Available - BROWSE BY SPORTS & TEAMS PLAYERS SHOWS PERSONALITIES TOPICS Built on MLS MLS Top 5 MLS Storylines: Messi Eyes More Titles, USA Players Seek World Cup Spots Updated Feb. 19, 2026 6:16 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Doug McIntyre Soccer Journalist This Major League Soccer season will be an historic one in so many ways. We'll see Lionel Messi and Inter Miami aim to repeat as MLS Cup champions. We'll see him aim to also repeat with his other team this summer at the World Cup, the largest that will be ever staged. But there will be plenty of other reasons to tune in to this season, which kicks off on Saturday with a full slate of games, including a nationally televised match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United. Here are five big storylines to follow as the 2026 campaign gets underway: Another Trophy Haul For Lionel Messi? The last time we saw Lionel Messi, in December at the 2025 MLS Cup final, he and his Inter Miami teammates were bathed in champagne after winning the domestic league’s ultimate prize. The spotlight will remain on the GOAT in early 2026. According to the man himself, Messi’s participation with Argentina ’s national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will hinge on his health during the early part of the MLS campaign. Messi turns 39 in the summer and the living legend has already had some injury worries during preseason, with the Herons even canceling a friendly match in Puerto Rico because Messi couldn’t play. Still, the expectation is that the Albiceleste captain will do everything possible to make sure he’s available to captain his country when Argentina begins the defense of the World Cup it won four years ago in the country he currently calls home. World Cup Audition For Key USA Players Orlando City may have shipped young fullback Alex Freeman to La Liga’s Villarreal last month, but the first few months of the 2026 season will serve as a crucial proving ground for several other MLS-based USA players who are aiming to make...
