MLS eyes World Cup boost as Larry Berg takes helm in 2026

On August 5, MLS owners voted to replace long‑standing commissioner Don Garber with former LAFC co‑owner Larry Berg, a move designed to tap the ‘rocket fuel’ of the 2026 World Cup and accelerate the league’s expansion as it prepares for the North American tournament.

The appointment is explicitly aimed at leveraging the domestic ‘rocket fuel’ of the 2026 World Cup for league growth. MLS officials said the decision reflects the league’s ambition to capitalize on the tournament’s North American hosting and to speed up its expansion strategy.

Owners arrived at the decision after a competitive selection process that required multiple rounds of voting. The extended ballot underscored the importance owners placed on choosing the league’s next chief executive.

Final presentations were delivered at MLS headquarters in Manhattan by Berg and fellow finalist David Nathanson. Each candidate outlined his vision for the league’s future, reinforcing the league’s commitment to a centralized decision‑making process.

Larry Berg becomes only the third commissioner in MLS history, joining a short lineage of league leaders. His appointment follows a tradition of long‑term stewardship that has shaped MLS’s development.

Berg will formally assume the role on January 1, 2027, succeeding Don Garber, who has served as commissioner since 1999. Garber is set to transition to the position of chairman, continuing his involvement with MLS governance.

The move is expected to align MLS’s expansion plans with the upcoming World Cup hosted on North American soil. Owners believe the new leadership will help the league leverage the tournament’s momentum.