Brad Pursel of Major League Soccer has revealed the league’s plans to get around the World Cup, which will be played in the US.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Jun 26th, 2024 19:06 EDT0
MEGAN BRIGGSAFP
Major League Soccer (MLS) is one of the few soccer leagues around the world that doesn’t stop during international breaks, which Inter Miami have found to their cost since Lionel Messi joined the club last summer. However, that looks set to change for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada in two years’ time.
MLS planning to pause for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Brad Pursel, the MLS’ senior vice president of game schedule management, revealed to ESPN that plans were in place for the league to pause during the tournament to ensure clubs weren’t left depleted by their players being unavailable for domestic games.
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MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELADiarioAS
“For the World Cup in 2026, we will take a break. MLS will pause during that competition, but the length of that break is to be determined. But given the size and scope of the 2026 World Cup, and being in North America, that is one tournament we will take a break for.”
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on Thursday 11 June 2026 and conclude more than five weeks later on Sunday 19 July 2026.
Pursel also stated that alterations to the current MLS schedule would likely take place for similar reasons, starting next year.
“We’re looking ahead to 2025, 2026, and 2027 to consider and make adjustments to our schedules so we don’t lose quite as many players to these competitions that conflict with our season.”
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Argentina captain Lionel Messi has missed a number of Inter Miami games due to international duty, although he may have retired by the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes around. ROB CARRAFP
Will the Leagues Cup be affected by the FIFA World Cup?
At present, the regular MLS season begins towards the end of February and ends in mid-October, with the MLS Cup Playoffs immediately following and running through until the first few days of December.
