A Tournament of Exposure
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, attracted more than a thousand elite soccer players, many of whom stepped onto Major League Soccer training grounds for the first time.
That exposure has not gone unnoticed; MLS now ranks as the sixth‑most represented league worldwide, a testament to the tournament’s ability to showcase the continent’s infrastructure.
Among the standout performances, New Zealand’s Elijah Just netted three goals in his first three World Cup matches, a feat that highlights his rapid rise after a strong season with Motherwell in the Scottish Championship.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku, a prolific striker with a history at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Manchester United, added three goals in just 230 minutes, underscoring his enduring sharpness on the world stage.
In contrast, Christian Pulisic, widely regarded as the United States’ top club‑level talent, has recently struggled for form, yet MLS franchises are reportedly prepared to invest heavily to bring him back to North America.
Similarly, Gio Reyna, a promising U.S. midfielder whose minutes have been limited in Europe, could benefit from a short MLS stint to reignite his career, while Mohamed Salah’s long‑standing interest in moving to the continent adds another marquee name to the speculation.
Looking Ahead
The potential arrivals of these global stars come at a time when MLS is actively courting elite talent, hoping that the World Cup’s spotlight will translate into higher viewership and stronger commercial appeal.
With clubs like AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC already featured in the broader soccer conversation, the league’s ability to attract such players could further cement its status as a destination of choice for top‑tier talent.