MLS Gets the Boot - US Pro League Takes a Shocking 5-Week Hiatus

Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced that it will take a break during the entirety of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The hiatus, which is expected to last for five weeks, will give the league a chance to recharge and refocus before resuming its busy schedule.

The decision, while not unprecedented, is a significant one for American soccer fans, who will have to wait a bit longer to see their favorite teams in action. However, with the World Cup taking center stage during this time, MLS is likely hoping that its hiatus will allow fans to shift their focus to the US men's national team as it competes against the best teams from around the globe.

The international break is a standard feature of the soccer calendar, and many leagues around the world take time off during this period. The English Premier League, for example, takes a break during the World Cup, and the same is true for other top leagues in Europe and beyond.

Despite this, the MLS hiatus is still noteworthy. For one, it highlights the growing importance of international competitions in the US soccer landscape. The US men's national team has been making waves in recent years, and the World Cup represents a chance for the team to make a deeper impression on the global stage.

At the same time, the hiatus also underscores the challenges faced by MLS in terms of scheduling. The league's regular season typically runs from February to November, with the playoffs and MLS Cup final taking place in the fall. By taking a break during the World Cup, MLS is essentially splitting its season into two parts: the pre-World Cup period and the post-World Cup stretch.

How this will affect the teams and players remains to be seen. On the one hand, the break could give teams a chance to heal injuries and recharge their batteries. On the other hand, it may disrupt the momentum of teams that were on a roll before the hiatus.

One thing is certain, though: the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a major event in the US soccer calendar. With the US men's national team looking to make a deep run in the tournament, the eyes of the soccer world will be on the country. And even if MLS is taking a break, there's no doubt that American soccer fans will be glued to their screens, cheering on their team as it competes on the biggest stage of them all.