2026 MLS schedule features 7-week break for World Cup

(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

A seven-week break is built into next year's Major League Soccer calendar to permit players to compete in the World Cup.

The 2026 schedule release on Thursday showed MLS will pause from May 25 -- FIFA's mandatory player reporting date -- until July 16 to accommodate the 48-team tournament, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.

The World