MLS Players at the World Cup: Teams, Clubs & Future

MLS has evolved in recent years, starting with the 2007 “Beckham Effect,” continuing through the 2015 expansion phase, and accelerating further after the arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023. These changes mean that more MLS players now receive national team call-ups. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 36 MLS players played for their respective nations, a clear sign of the league’s improving quality and competitiveness.

For North American soccer fans, MLS players competing at the World Cup represents both validation of the league’s growth and connection to global soccer’s premier event. The 2022 tournament marked Canada’s return to the World Cup after 36 years, with six CF Montréal players in their squad, while the USMNT featured multiple MLS-based players in key roles.

MLS Players in World Cup Rosters (2022 Snapshot & Beyond)

MLS has increasingly become a notable contributor of players to the World Cup, and that trend accelerated in 2022. Major European leagues like the English Premier League traditionally lead in representation, but MLS supplied more players than any other league outside of Europe’s “Big Five”: the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, and French Ligue 1.

The number of players these leagues sent to the 2022 World Cup is shown below, with MLS included for comparison

Rank	League	Country	Number of Players
1	Premier League	England	136
2	La Liga	Spain	83
3	Bundesliga	Germany	76
4	Serie A	Italy	68
5	Ligue 1	France	54
6	MLS	USA/Canada	36

Sources: Statista, the Sporting News, and MLSsoccer.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities, presents unique opportunities for MLS. As host nations, all three automatically qualify, and with the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams, analysts project that 50-60 MLS-based players could participate, potentially representing 15-20 national teams.

Club Breakdown

Three MLS clubs led representation at Qatar 2022, combining for 15 of the 36 total players:

CF Montréal

Canada-based CF Montréal was the most represented MLS club in Qatar, with six players included in Canada’s roster – the highest of any club on the team. These players played a key role in Canada’s first World Cup appearance since 1986 in which they exited in the group stage.

Players:

Alistair Johnston (D) – 3 appearances, 270 minutes played
Ismaël Koné (M) – 3 appearances, 107 minutes played
Kamal Miller (D) – 3 appearances, 270 minutes played
James Pantemis (GK) – 0 appearances, 0 minutes played
Samuel Piette (M) – 1 appearances, 45 minutes played
Joel Waterman (D) – 0 appearances, 0 minutes played

LAFC

LAFC led all U.S.-based clubs with five players selected for the 2022 tournament. They represented three different nations, highlighting the club’s diverse talent acquisition.

Players:

Kellyn Acosta (USA) – 2 appearances, 41 minutes played
Gareth Bale (Wales) – 3 appearances, 225 minutes played, 1 goal
José Cifuentes (Ecuador) – 2 appearances, 58 minutes played
Sebas Méndez (Ecuador) – 2 appearances, 180 minutes played
Diego Palacios (Ecuador) – 0 appearances, 0 minutes played

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC sent four players to the 2022 World Cup. Like LAFC, their group represented several national teams.

Players:

Jordan Morris (USA) – 2 appearances, 2 minutes played
Cristian Roldan (USA) – 0 appearances, 0 minutes played
Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador) – 0 appearances, 0 minutes played
Nouhou Tolo (Cameroon) – 3 appearances, 270 minutes played

Selected MLS Players at the 2022 World Cup & Their Clubs

Among the 36 MLS players at Qatar 2022, several stood out for their impact, star power, or historic achievements:

Gareth Bale – LAFC (Wales)

Gareth Bale started all three of Wales’ group stage matches. He scored Wales’ only goal of the tournament, a late penalty kick in their opening 1-1 draw against the United States.

This was Wales’ first World Cup goal in 64 years. He played the full 90 minutes in the matches against the USA and Iran. In the final group match against England, he was substituted at halftime due to a hamstring injury as Wales lost 3-0 and were eliminated from the tournament.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Gareth Bale, the former Real Madrid star, played for LAFC. He captained Wales at the tournament.

Bale’s presence in MLS brought significant international attention to the league, and his performance for Wales reminded the fans of his world-class abilities.

Héctor Herrera – Houston Dynamo FC (Mexico)

Héctor Herrera is a veteran midfielder with a long history in top-tier European leagues. He brought his experience to the Houston Dynamo and represented Mexico at the 2022 World Cup.

Héctor Herrera played in two of Mexico’s three group stage matches. He started and played the full 90 minutes in Mexico’s opening match, a 0-0 draw against Poland. He also started against Argentina, playing 71 minutes before being substituted in the 2-0 loss.

Herrera’s selection showed that MLS could attract and retain players capable of performing at the highest international level.

Thiago Almada – Atlanta United FC (Argentina)

Thiago Almada went to the World Cup as a promising young attacking midfielder, representing eventual champions Argentina.

Almada made one appearance in the tournament, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute of Argentina’s final group stage match against Poland. He made history by becoming the first active MLS player to win the World Cup as Argentina became world champions in Qatar.

Almada’s presence on the roster of the eventual winners was a major boost for the league’s reputation.

Jesús Ferreira – FC Dallas (USA)

Jesús Ferreira went to the World Cup in Qatar as a young and dynamic striker. He earned a spot on the USMNT roster after a standout MLS season recording 18 goals and 6 assists in 33 regular season appearances (29 starts) according to Transfermarkt. He was named the Young Player of the Year.

Jesús Ferreira made one appearance in the tournament, starting the Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands on December 3, 2022. He played for 45 minutes in that match before being substituted at halftime.

His inclusion demonstrated the emergence of MLS as a hub for the development of young talent, both local and international.

Kamal Miller – CF Montréal (Canada)

In the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, Kamal Miller delivered a standout season for CF Montréal at the heart of their defense. His numbers include 28 apparances (27 starts), 2 goals, 3 assists, 115 clearances, 30 interceptions, 83.6% passing accuracy, and a 62.1% tackle success rate, according to CF Montréal.

Kamal Miller was a key player for Canada and played every minute of the team’s three group stage matches. He was part of the starting lineup in all three games: against Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco. Canada was eliminated in the group stage after losing all three of its matches.

He was part of the club’s large Canadian contingent. His solid defensive showings throughout the qualifying campaign and during the tournament itself were a testament to the quality of his development in MLS.

Honorable Mentions

Other notable MLS players at the Qatar 2022 World Cup included:

Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire FC, Switzerland): The veteran playmaker appeared in his third World Cup, scoring in Switzerland’s 3-2 victory over Serbia.
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC, USA): Started all four USMNT matches as defensive anchor through the Round of 16.
DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF, USA): Veteran fullback appeared in 3 of 4 USMNT matches, providing defensive depth.

Future Outlook – MLS & World Cup 2026

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup co-hosted in North America, MLS’s role on the global soccer stage is set to expand significantly. The legacy of a World Cup can reverberate across the league in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The event is expected to have a significant impact on MLS, including increased viewership, fan engagement, a younger and more diverse fanbase, enhanced player signings, new stadiums, and upgraded venues. The FIFA tournament will also provide opportunities for player growth while enhancing post-World Cup investment.

MLS is adjusting its 2026 schedule to accommodate the tournament, with a mid-season break planned from late May to mid-July. This strategic move acknowledges the significance of the World Cup and will allow more MLS players to participate without conflict.

Former MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips, now a league ambassador, stated in a May 30, 2025, interview with NBC 6 South Florida that “While the U.S. may not win the World Cup, MLS can still win big by capitalizing on increased interest and improving quality of play”. This perspective aligns with broader league strategies for sustainable growth through youth development, international talent acquisition, and infrastructure investment.

FAQs

How many MLS players were at the 2022 World Cup?
A total of 36 MLS players from 22 different teams were featured in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Which MLS club had the most World Cup players?
CF Montréal had the most players at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with six players selected for national team rosters. All six players represented the Canadian national team.
Are MLS players competitive at the World Cup level?
Yes. The growing representation of MLS players and their performances indicate that they are competitive at the World Cup level:
- Goal Contributions: Wales captain Gareth Bale (then with LAFC) scored his nation’s only goal of the tournament.
- Defensive Stability: Canada’s Kamal Miller (CF Montréal) and Alistair Johnston (CF Montréal) played every single minute of their team’s campaign.
- Key Interventions: USA defender Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) made a vital goal-line clearance in stoppage time against Iran to secure the win that sent the USMNT to the knockout round.
- Winning Pedigree: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) became the first active MLS player to win a World Cup as part of the victorious Argentina squad.b
- Consistent Starters: Midfielders like Sebas Méndez (LAFC) for Ecuador and Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo) for Mexico were consistent starters and key players for their nations in the group stages.
Which national teams include MLS-based players?
During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, 12 different teams (Argentina, Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Mexico, Poland, USA, Uruguay, and Wales) included MLS players in their rosters, with the USMNT and the Canadian national team claiming the majority. Expect that number to rise for the 2026 World Cup with the increased prominence of MLS.
Will there be more MLS players in the World Cup 2026?
The conditions favor more MLS involvement in the 2026 World Cup. Given the host continent and the growing attraction of the league to young players and international talent, national teams will look at MLS players more when selecting their squads.