{"id":910576,"date":"2026-06-05T13:13:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/mls-at-fifa-world-cup-10-must-watch-group-stage-games-mlssoccer-com\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T13:13:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:13:20","slug":"mls-at-fifa-world-cup-10-must-watch-group-stage-games-mlssoccer-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/mls-at-fifa-world-cup-10-must-watch-group-stage-games-mlssoccer-com\/","title":{"rendered":"MLS at FIFA World Cup: 10 must-watch Group Stage games | MLSSoccer.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div role=\"main\" id=\"main-content\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Page main content\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n<div data-bucket-name=\"main-content-before-middle-adv\">\n<div>\n<h2>Soccer<br \/>\n          MLS at FIFA World Cup: 10 must-watch Group Stage games<br \/>\n        <\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>When the 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/\">FIFA World Cup<\/a> unfolds across North America this summer, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/news\/mls-record-44-players-2026-world-cup-rosters-call-ups-club-list\">record 44 MLS players<\/a> will be in action.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>The tournament lasts from June 11 to July 19, and features an expanded 48-team field.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As you get ready to watch the soccer spectacle, here are some must-see Group Stage games featuring MLS stars.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/321VjBvie1o?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"Ready to take on the world. \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Thursday, June 11 | 3 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Mexico City Stadium, Mexico<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>The biggest party in the world kicks off in Mexico City, as co-hosts Mexico meet South Africa in the tournament&#8217;s curtain-raiser.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bafana Bafana feature two MLS center backs who will try to stymie an El Tri side that includes MLS homegrown products Obed Vargas (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/seattle-sounders-fc\/\">Seattle Sounders FC<\/a>) and Brian Guti\u00e9rrez (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/chicago-fire-fc\/\">Chicago Fire FC<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/mbekezeli-mbokazi\/\">Mbekezeli Mbokazi<\/a> was a key signing for Chicago ahead of the 2026 season, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/olwethu-makhanya\/\">Olwethu Makhanya<\/a> was a crucial part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/philadelphia-union\/\">Philadelphia Union<\/a>&#8216;s 2025 Supporters&#8217; Shield-winning side.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In this Group A bout, South Africa make their World Cup return after hosting the 2010 tournament.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0Friday, June 12 | 3 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Toronto Stadium, Canada<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>The moment Canadians have long waited for is nearly here: a World Cup match on home soil.<\/p>\n<p>Jesse Marsch&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/canada\/\">CanMNT<\/a> side is well represented by MLS players past and present. Of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/canada-roster-for-2026-world-cup-8-mls-players-canmnt-squad\">26-man roster<\/a>, eight players are from MLS and another 10 are MLS alums.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/orlando-city\/\">Orlando City<\/a>&#8216;s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/maxime-crepeau\/\">Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> has earned the starting goalkeeping job ahead of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/inter-miami-cf\/\">Inter Miami<\/a>&#8216;s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/dayne-st-clair\/\">Dayne St. Clair<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/los-angeles-football-club\/\">LAFC<\/a> midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/stephen-eustaquio\/\">Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a> will likely wear the captain&#8217;s armband while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/vancouver-whitecaps-fc\/\">Vancouver Whitecaps<\/a> product Alphonso Davies recovers from a hamstring injury. Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/toronto-fc\/\">Toronto FC<\/a> defender\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/richie-laryea\/\">Richie Laryea<\/a>\u00a0and LAFC midfielder\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/mathieu-choiniere\/\">Mathieu Choini\u00e8re<\/a> could be in the starting XI.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>One Bosnia and Herzegovina player who will be familiar with the opponent and venue? Esmir Bajraktarevi\u0107, who enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/new-england-revolution\/\">New England Revolution<\/a> homegrown before transferring to Eredivisie powerhouse PSV Eindhoven.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Friday, June 12 | 9 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Los Angeles Stadium, USA<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>A World Cup opener on home soil?<\/p>\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t get much better than that for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/us-men-s-national-team\/\">United States<\/a>, who feature eight MLS representatives and another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/aaronson-to-zendejas-every-mls-export-on-usmnt-2026-world-cup-roster-squad-usa\">13 players<\/a> who are homegrown products or spent time in an MLS academy.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/matt-freese\/\">Matt Freese<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/new-york-city-football-club\/\">New York City FC<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/matt-turner\/\">Matt Turner<\/a> (New England Revolution) are battling for the starting goalkeeper job. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/charlotte-fc\/\">Charlotte FC<\/a> center back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/tim-ream\/\">Tim Ream<\/a> wears the captain&#8217;s armband, and Vancouver midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/sebastian-berhalter\/\">Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> is pushing for a starting spot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Mauricio Pochettino&#8217;s squad will hope to start with three points against Paraguay, who are led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/atlanta-united\/\">Atlanta United<\/a> star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/miguel-almiron\/\">Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a>. He is one of four MLS players on the South American side and could start alongside Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/andres-cubas\/\">Andr\u00e9s Cubas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Sunday, June 14 | 10 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Guadalajara Stadium, Mexico<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>When Sweden and Tunisia square off in this Group F opener, a pair of Western Conference foes will go head-to-head.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Sweden feature\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/fc-dallas\/\">FC Dallas<\/a>\u00a0defender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/herman-johansson\/\">Herman Johansson<\/a>, who was added to the squad as an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/fc-dallas-defender-herman-johansson-makes-sweden-2026-world-cup-roster\">injury replacement<\/a> for Emil Holm. He&#8217;s in his first MLS season.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Vancouver Whitecaps forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/rayan-elloumi\/\">Rayan Elloumi<\/a> represents Tunisia. The 18-year-old homegrown has progressed from the club&#8217;s academy to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlsnextpro.com\/\">MLS NEXT Pro<\/a> to the first team.<\/p>\n<p>Elloumi was eligible to represent Canada, but filed a one-time switch to Tunisia and will now be among the youngest players at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Tuesday, June 16 | 9 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Kansas City Stadium, USA<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>The defending World Cup champions begin their title defense in Kansas City, where all eyes will be on Inter Miami superstar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/lionel-messi\/\">Lionel Messi<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The legendary No. 10 is readying for what is likely his sixth and final World Cup, a record he co-holds with Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.<\/p>\n<p>The eight-time Ballon d&#8217;Or winner has appeared in a record 26 World Cup matches. And with 13g\/8a, he is three goals shy of tying Miroslav Klose&#8217;s record of 16 World Cup tallies.<\/p>\n<p>Messi is joined on La Albiceleste&#8217;s roster by midfielder\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/rodrigo-de-paul\/\">Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>, a fellow World Cup champion from Qatar 2022 who reunited with the back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP last summer in South Florida.<\/p>\n<p>De Paul arrived on loan from Atl\u00e9tico Madrid midseason, scored the game-winning goal in MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi, and then made a permanent move ahead of the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Will Argentina breeze through Group J and ultimately defend their World Cup title? No country has gone back-to-back since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Friday, June 19 | 3 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Seattle Stadium, USA<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Back in his home stadium, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/seattle-sounders-fc\/\">Seattle Sounders<\/a> midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/cristian-roldan\/\">Cristian Roldan<\/a> and the USMNT meet Australia in their second Group D match.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The Socceroos feature an MLS trio:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/colorado-rapids\/\">Colorado Rapids<\/a> center back\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/lucas-herrington\/\">Lucas Herrington<\/a>\u00a0and the NYCFC duo of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/aiden-o-neill\/\">Aiden O&#8217;Neill<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/kai-trewin\/\">Kai Trewin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Nearly a decade to the day, it will be the USMNT&#8217;s first game in Seattle since a 2-1 victory over Ecuador in the Copa Am\u00e9rica Centenario quarterfinals. That match was held on June 16, 2016 and featured goals from Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes.<\/p>\n<p>This go-around, another USMNT win could book their spot in the Round of 32. And there will surely be massive home support, with Seattle&#8217;s fans among the rowdiest in MLS.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Friday, June 19 | 8:30 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Philadelphia Stadium, USA<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>In their second Group C match, Haiti will take on five-time World Cup champions Brazil.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>It should be a special moment for Philadelphia Union midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/danley-jean-jacques\/\">Danley Jean Jacques<\/a>, who joins FC Dallas forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/louicius-don-deedson\/\">Louicius Deedson<\/a> and Toronto FC forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/derrick-etienne-jr\/\">Derrick Etienne Jr.<\/a> for Haiti&#8217;s first World Cup in 52 years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This game brings some serious David vs. Goliath vibes, with Brazil boasting stars like Real Madrid forward Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior, Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But Haiti won&#8217;t back down, and even a draw would go a long way towards their hopes of reaching the knockout round.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Sunday, June 21 | 6 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Miami Stadium, USA<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>It will be another head-to-head MLS matchup when Uruguay face Cape Verde in both teams&#8217; second Group H match.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/juan-manuel-sanabria\/\">Juan Manuel Sanabria<\/a> represents Uruguay, having joined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/real-salt-lake\/\">Real Salt Lake<\/a> in February from LIGA MX side Atl\u00e9tico San Luis.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>He&#8217;ll team up with Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and Atl\u00e9tico Madrid defender Jos\u00e9 Gim\u00e9nez, with the legendary Marcelo Bielsa serving as head coach for the two-time World Cup champions.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>They&#8217;ll come up against a tournament Cinderella, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/san-diego-fc\/\">San Diego FC<\/a> goalkeeper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/carlos-joaquim-antunes-dos-santos\/\">CJ Dos Santos<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/columbus-crew\/\">Columbus Crew<\/a> defender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/steven-moreira\/\">Steven Moreira<\/a> representing Cape Verde.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Blue Sharks are considerable underdogs, making their World Cup debut after a historic African qualifying campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Their roster features several dual nationals; Moreira is a former French youth international and Dos Santos previously played for US youth teams.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Tuesday, June 23 | 7 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Toronto Stadium, Canada<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Panama meet Croatia in a pivotal second Group L match, and both countries field two MLS players.<\/p>\n<p>San Diego midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/anibal-godoy\/\">An\u00edbal Godoy<\/a> sports the captain&#8217;s armband for Panama and is set to retire from international soccer after the tournament. The 36-year-old also featured at Russia 2018 and leads his country with 157 caps.<\/p>\n<p>Godoy is joined by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/minnesota-united-fc\/\">Minnesota United FC<\/a> midfielder\/defender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/carlos-harvey\/\">Carlos Harvey<\/a>, who&#8217;s earned consistent call-ups since the 2024 Copa Am\u00e9rica.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Croatia feature FC Dallas striker\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/petar-musa\/\">Petar Musa<\/a> and Orlando City winger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/marco-pasalic\/\">Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a>. Musa is in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi hunt with 12 goals in 13 matches this season, while Pa\u0161ali\u0107 was named a 2025 MLS All-Star.<\/p>\n<p>Panama are looking for their first-ever World Cup win; Croatia have made at least the semifinals in back-to-back tournaments.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Wednesday, June 24 | 9 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Monterrey Stadium, Mexico<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>A berth in the Round of 32 could be at stake when South Africa and South Korea meet in the final match of Group A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It also could be a historic moment for LAFC superstar\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/son-heung-min\/\">Son Heung-Min<\/a>. The Taegeuk Warriors&#8217; captain is his country&#8217;s second-highest goalscorer with 56 tallies, just two behind Cha Bum-Kun.<\/p>\n<p>The MLS-record signing enters the tournament with 145 caps, the most in South Korean history.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;ll come up against Mbokazi and Makhanya, who hope to help South Africa reach their first-ever World Cup knockout phase.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>June 18:<\/strong> Canada vs. Qatar<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 18:<\/strong> Mexico vs. South Korea<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 22:<\/strong> Argentina vs. Austria<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 24:<\/strong> Switzerland vs. Canada<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 25:<\/strong> T\u00fcrkiye vs. USA<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 26:<\/strong> New Zealand vs. Belgium<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-toggle data-layout-name=\"grid_4-4-4\" data-bucket-name=\"main-content-after-middle-adv\">\n<div>\n<p>Get the latest from MLS: league news, must-see matches, kit drops, premium offers for the World\u2019s biggest event, and more!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/news\/mls-at-fifa-world-cup-10-must-watch-group-stage-games\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Tami Wrona<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer Soccer MLS at FIFA World Cup: 10 must-watch Group Stage games When the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds across North America this summer, a record 44 MLS players will be in action. The tournament lasts from June 11 to July 19, and features an expanded 48-team field.\u00a0 As you get ready to watch the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":910577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42613,2005,644],"tags":[119490,5489],"class_list":["post-910576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-must-watch","category-soccer","category-world","tag-must-watch","tag-world"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=910576"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910576\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/910577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=910576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=910576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=910576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}