On Charlotte Expansion, World Cup 2026, And Why 40 MLS Teams Is Possible

If the official announcement comes as expected later this month, it would cap an exceptional year in terms of MLS expansion, with four new teams in total in 2019. Moreover, it would take MLS to a number of teams on par with the United States and Canada’s four major sports leagues, and to a point where conventional pro sports logic would suggest growth coming to an end.

On the record, Don Garber has suggested this — sort of — saying at a conference last month that MLS would eventually add teams No. 31 and 32, but not in no particular hurry. But longtime league observers may be skeptical of his restraint.

For starters, the league has already grown to 30 faster than Garber had forecast in even his most optimistic public comments of recent past, perhaps because of an increase in the quantity and financial backing of potential owners. And it should be obvious how expansion has expedited since the United States, Canada and Mexico being awarded the 2026 FIFA World Cup last summer. In a way, Garber predicted as much back when the tournament host was revealed in the summer of 2018.