The MLS as a league has vastly improved in recent years by bringing in top talents from across the world to elevate the league's competition.
The main name that comes to mind when thinking about top talents in the MLS is Lionel Messi, but there are big names spread across the continent, not just in Miami.
45 Players currently playing in MLS have been selected to participate in the 2026 World Cup from 18 different nations.
The United States and Canada (to no surprise) had the most players selected to the final roster from MLS teams, with eight players from each team applying their trade in the league.
Of the countries who are not home to the league, Paraguay had the most MLS players selected to the World Cup roster (4).
Mauricio Pochettino selected eight MLS players to play for the United States Men's National Team this summer, including Sebastian Berhalter, Tim Ream, and Matt Freese.
Jesse Marsch selected the same number of players to play for the Canada Men's National Team this summer, including Dayne St. Clair, Richie Laryea, and Stephen Eustaquio.
Every MLS Player at the 2026 World Cup
Player | World Cup Team | MLS Team |
|---|---|---|
Sebastian Berhalter | United States | Vancouver Whitecaps |
Max Arfsten | United States | Columbus Crew |
Cristian Roldan | United States | Seattle Sounders |
Tim Ream | United States | Charlotte FC |
Miles Robinson | United States | FC Cincinnati |
Matt Freese | United States | New York City FC |
Matt Turner | United States | New England Revolution |
Chris Brady | United States | Chicago Fire |
Dayne St. Clair | Canada | Inter Miami |
Maxime Crepeau | Canada | Orlando City |
Richie Laryea | Canada | Toronto FC |
Joel Waterman | Canada | Chicago Fire |
Mathieu Choiniere | Canada | LAFC |
Stephen Eustaquio | Canada | LAFC |
Jonothan Osorio | Canada | Toronto FC |
Jacob Shaffelburg | Canada | LAFC |
Miguel Almiron | Paraguay | Atlanta United |
Andres Cubas | Paraguay | Vancouver Whitecaps |
Braian Ojeda | Paraguay | Orlando City |
Matias Galarza | Paraguay | Atlanta United |
Lucas Herrington | Australia | Colorado Rapids |
Kai Trewin | Australia | New York City FC |
Aiden O'Neill | Australia | New York City FC |
Danley Jean Jacques | Haiti | Philadelphia Union |
Don Deedson Louicius | Haiti | FC Dallas |
Derrick Etienne | Haiti | Toronto FC |
Rodrigo De Paul | Argentina | Inter Miami |
Lionel Messi | Argentina | Inter Miami |
Anibal Godoy | Panama | San Diego FC |
Carlos Harvey | Panama | Minnesota United |
CJ Dos Santos | Cape Verde | San Diego FC |
Steven Moreira | Cape Verde | Columbus Crew |
Michael Boxall | New Zealand | Minnesota United |
Finn Surman | New Zealand | Portland Timbers |
Olwethu Makhanya | South Africa | Philadelphia union |
Mbekezeli Mbokazi | South Africa | Chicago Fire |
Marco Pasalic | Croatia | Orlando City |
Petar Musa | Croatia | FC Dallas |
Son Heung-Min | Korea Republic | LAFC |
Rayan Elloumi | Tunisia | Vancouver Whitecaps |
Juan Manuel Sanabria | Uruguay | Real Salt Lake |
Ahmed Qasem | Iraq | Nashville SC |
Herman Johansson | Sweden | FC Dallas |
*James Rodriguez | Colombia | Minnesota United |
*Casemiro | Brazil | Inter Miami |
*James Rodriguez is currently a free agent after the termination of his contract with Minnesota United in May 2026.
*Casemiro has not yet played a match in MLS, but officially signed for Inter Miami in May 2026.
Every USL Championship Player at the 2026 World Cup
The United States' other professional soccer league, the USL, also had multiple players selected to World Cup rosters.
Two players from the USL Championship were selected to play for either the Haiti National Team or Curacao National Team at the World Cup this summer.
Player | World Cup Team | USL Team |
|---|---|---|
Duke Lacroix | Haiti | Colorado Springs Switchbacks |
Carl Fred Sainte | Haiti | El Paso Locomotive |
Eloy Room | Curacao | Miami FC |
Jurgen Locadia | Curacao | Miami FC |
Discover more from bet365
Read the latest soccer and World Cup news on site.
Every Team to Qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup History & Records.
