'Soccer Is Thriving’: Don Garber Hails MLS Growth Ahead of 2026 World Cup
As the 2026 World Cup draw loomed, Don Garber made a bold claim: U.S. soccer isn’t just growing, it's thriving. He credited this surge to the arrival of superstar players such as Lionel Messi, who joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023 after a storied European career. Messi’s presence, Garber noted, did more than make headlines; it sent a signal that MLS is a serious destination for world-class talent.
That star power underscores a wider transformation in the league. As of 2024, MLS rosters feature players from 79 different countries, making it the most geographically diverse top men’s professional sports league in North America.
Historically, soccer struggled to compete with American football, basketball, and baseball in the U.S. But Garber argues the tide is turning. He pointed out that among people under 40, soccer has become the second-favourite sport to watch, edging ahead of many traditional American staples.
That demographic shift, driven by younger, globally-minded fans and a growing immigrant population, suggests soccer is evolving from a niche sport into a mainstream American pastime. For Garber, that represents a landmark achievement for both MLS and U.S. soccer as a whole.
This confidence isn’t just theoretical. Garber pointed to the upcoming 2025 MLS Cup final, where Messi’s Inter Miami CF will face Vancouver Whitecaps FC , a side that includes German World Cup winner Thomas Müller, as concrete proof of the league’s evolving identity. A match pitting two globally renowned legends underscores MLS’s transformation into a stage worthy of serious attention.
Moreover, the timing couldn’t be more strategic. The excitement around MLS now dovetails with the 2026 World Cup which will feature 48 teams and be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw is scheduled in Washington, D.C., and Garber clearly believes that heightened international focus will further elevate soccer’s profile in America.
Garber’s optimism reflects more than just a marketing pitch; it points to a structural evolution. With a more diverse and globally competitive league, MLS could increasingly attract international talent, investment, and attention. The generational shift in viewership may foster stronger fan engagement, youth participation, and long-term growth of the sport.
As MLS approaches a critical juncture - a defining World Cup, star-studded finals, and growing global influence - the league appears poised to further embed soccer into the American sporting fabric. For Don Garber, and many in U.S. soccer, this is more than a moment: it’s a turning point.
That star power underscores a wider transformation in the league. As of 2024, MLS rosters feature players from 79 different countries, making it the most geographically diverse top men’s professional sports league in North America.
Historically, soccer struggled to compete with American football, basketball, and baseball in the U.S. But Garber argues the tide is turning. He pointed out that among people under 40, soccer has become the second-favourite sport to watch, edging ahead of many traditional American staples.
That demographic shift, driven by younger, globally-minded fans and a growing immigrant population, suggests soccer is evolving from a niche sport into a mainstream American pastime. For Garber, that represents a landmark achievement for both MLS and U.S. soccer as a whole.
This confidence isn’t just theoretical. Garber pointed to the upcoming 2025 MLS Cup final, where Messi’s Inter Miami CF will face Vancouver Whitecaps FC , a side that includes German World Cup winner Thomas Müller, as concrete proof of the league’s evolving identity. A match pitting two globally renowned legends underscores MLS’s transformation into a stage worthy of serious attention.
Moreover, the timing couldn’t be more strategic. The excitement around MLS now dovetails with the 2026 World Cup which will feature 48 teams and be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw is scheduled in Washington, D.C., and Garber clearly believes that heightened international focus will further elevate soccer’s profile in America.
Garber’s optimism reflects more than just a marketing pitch; it points to a structural evolution. With a more diverse and globally competitive league, MLS could increasingly attract international talent, investment, and attention. The generational shift in viewership may foster stronger fan engagement, youth participation, and long-term growth of the sport.
As MLS approaches a critical juncture - a defining World Cup, star-studded finals, and growing global influence - the league appears poised to further embed soccer into the American sporting fabric. For Don Garber, and many in U.S. soccer, this is more than a moment: it’s a turning point.
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