How many MLS players are going to the World Cup and who are the ones to watch?

A record 48 teams will compete at the tournament, with players from all across the globe descending on North America for the global footballing festival.

Several leagues will be represented, and Major League Soccer is no different. As the top league from the United States, with three clubs located in Canada, MLS will play a special part in the competition on home soil.

• Read next | How many players from each Premier League team are going to the World Cup?

As of June 1, there are set to be 43 players preparing to participate this summer, although more could be added right up to the eve of each country's first match. Some of the MLS players named to various squads are global superstars in the twilight of their careers, while most are younger and looking to make a name for themselves.

DAZN News highlights some of the MLS players to watch at the upcoming tournament, along with a full list of players from the league who will play at the World Cup.

MLS players to watch at FIFA World Cup 2026

Jacob Shaffelburg, Canada

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

One of the most direct players you'll ever see, Shaffelburg often earns criticism for his lack of commitment to defending and his propensity to put his head down and charge forward with the ball at his feet.

However, it's his one-track mind that makes him stand out on the pitch, as Shaffelburg has pace to burn and a nose for goal. His relentless attacking ways at the 2024 Copa America earned him the nickname "Maritime Messi," and although the Nova Scotia-born player doesn't figure to be in Canada's starting XI, he is an electric option for Jesse Marsch off the bench.

Andrés Cubas, Paraguay

Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images

An absolute hound in the centre of the pitch, Cubas is as underrated as they come in MLS.

The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder is dogged in defence and can be a disruptive force against any opposition that gets too comfortable in his presence.

James Rodriguez, Colombia

(Getty Images)

Now 34 years old, James is well past his breakout at the 2014 World Cup, when he was named to the tournament's Best XI and put the whole world on notice that a new star was set to take over.

Unfortunately for James and Colombia, he never truly fulfilled his potential despite playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and now the Cafeteros No. 10 is likely making his last hurrah on the world stage.

James joined MLS side Minnesota United on a purely transactional deal earlier this year — Minnesota got his star power for a few months and James got a way to stay fit for the World Cup. Worryingly, the Colombian never really stood out in MLS play and his commitment even to the short-term nature of his agreement with the Loons was questioned, but James will be still worth watching if only to see whether he can conjure up one final burst of magic.

Petar Musa, Croatia

Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Croatia will enter the World Cup with an aging attack headlined by 37-year-old Ivan Perišić and 34-year-olds Andrej Kramarić and Ante Budimir.

Under the hot North American sun, that could open up an opportunity for an in-his-prime Musa, who has scored for fun in 2.5 seasons in MLS. The FC Dallas striker is currently tied with Lionel Messi for second in the league's Golden Boot race and he will provide a strong alternative to the established Croatian attack force. 

Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina

Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

"Messi's bodyguard" will surely play a prominent role for Argentina once again, and De Paul comes into the World Cup having familiarized himself with the quirks of playing all over North America.

De Paul joined Inter Miami halfway through last season after more than a decade at the top levels of Europe, and it was at the MLS side where he finally won his first (and so far, only) club trophy. Now 32, De Paul has enough left in the tank to play his hard-earned role as an on-field enforcer for La Albiceleste once again.

Son Heung-min, South Korea

(C)Getty images

The Korean superstar hit the ground running last year when he joined MLS side LAFC halfway through the season, scoring 12 goals in 13 appearances for the Los Angeles club.

This year has been different as Son has not yet found the back of the net during league play in 2026, although he does share the MLS lead for assists so far this season and added a pair of goals in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Whatever the case, Son is still the focal point for South Korea's attack and he will be influential to any success the nation can achieve.

Lionel Messi, Argentina

@leomessisite

You knew we were going to include the GOAT.

Messi's "watchability" requires no real explanation, so we'll just point out that this is almost certainly his final World Cup — he didn't even confirm his participation in the tournament until the last minute — and he's going for back-to-back triumphs with Argentina.

The Argentine superstar is one to watch if only because the opportunities to do so will be gone before we know it, and the sport will be worse off when that day hits. 

MLS players at FIFA World Cup 2026, by country

Canada (8)

• Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)
• Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
• Mathieu Choinière (LAFC)
• Stephen Eustáquio (LAFC)
• Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC)
• Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City)
• Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC)
• Richie Laryea (Toronto FC)

United States (8)

• Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
• Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
• Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
• Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
• Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
• Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
• Matt Freese (New York City)
• Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)

Paraguay (4)

• Miguel Almirón (Altanta United)
• Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps)
• Braian Ojeda (Orlando City)
• Matías Galarza (Atlanta United)

Australia (3)

• Aiden O'Neill (New York City FC)
• Kai Trewin (New York City FC)
• Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids)

Haiti (3)

• Danley Jean Jacques (Philadelphia Union)
• Derrick Etienne Jr. (Toronto FC)
• Louicius Deedson (FC Dallas)

Argentina (2)

• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
• Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)

Cape Verde (2)

• CJ dos Santos (San Diego FC)
• Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew)

Croatia (2)

• Marco Pašalić (Orlando City)
• Petar Musa (FC Dallas)

New Zealand (2)

• Michael Boxall (Minnesota United)
• Finn Surman (Portland TImbers)

Panama (2)

• Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC)
• Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United)

South Africa (2)

• Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
• Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia)

Colombia (1)

• James Rodriguez (Minnesota United)

Iraq (1)

• Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC)

South Korea (1)

• Son Heung-min (LAFC)

Sweden (1)

• Herman Johansson (FC Dallas)

Tunisia (1)

• Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps)

DAZN/FIFA

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