MLS hopes 2026 World Cup will propel it into the elite of world football

Major League Soccer is banking on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, to accelerate its rise among the world's top football leagues. The league has been expanding rapidly, attracting international stars and investment, but still lags behind European competitions in quality and prestige. The key question is whether hosting the tournament will be enough to close that gap.