Messi and Inter Miami Favored to Repeat in 2026; MLS Cup Odds
Summary
The 2026 MLS season begins with Inter Miami as the clear favorite to win a second consecutive championship, bolstered by Lionel Messi and a major signing in striker Germán Berterame. Following their 2025 title, Miami’s spending and star power make them the overwhelming choice to emerge from the Eastern Conference.
Key challengers include Los Angeles FC, featuring the potent attack of Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, and the Vancouver Whitecaps, who aim to build on their 2025 finals appearance with Thomas Müller. Other strong contenders are San Diego FC, coming off an impressive inaugural season, and the consistently competitive Seattle Sounders. Nashville SC is noted as a potential longshot with its high-powered offense.
The 2026 MLS season kicks off this week, and once again, Inter Miami is favored to win its second straight championship after Lionel Messi led his team to the franchise’s first title. But as Inter Miami is looking to go back-to-back, there are several other contenders who are in the mix, including Vancouver, which lost in the finals to Miami. Several teams added new players, made coaching changes, all hoping it’ll pay off with a championship run in 2026. Here is who is favored and who could be a sleeper pick this coming year.Â
Inter Miami FC +400
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are once again the favorites to win the 2026 MLS title, just a few months from winning their first trophy in 2025. The early conversation around Inter Miami 2026 MLS Cup odds and title favorites reflects just how dominant this roster looks on paper.Â
Miami spent a reported $15 million for Mexican striker Germán Berterame, making Miami even stronger offensively as he plays alongside Messi. Since joining MLS, Messi and Inter Miami have been favorites each year, but were only able to win in 2025. Ownership doesn’t shy away from spending money, and with just a few more seasons left for Messi, Miami will do everything to continue winning trophies. Miami is an overwhelming favorite to come out of the East.
Los Angeles FC +550
LAFC has perhaps the most potent attacking front in MLS with South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, who scored 24 goals in 31 games, while Son found the back of the net nine times in just 10 games last season. Son adds another level of star power on this side and could draw others globally to come to MLS. LA re-signed 2018 World Cup winner goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but the biggest questions lie with Marc Dos Santos, who moves from assistant to the head coach. Still, the talent is there for a deep run in 2026.
Vancouver Whitecaps +900
What a difference a single player can make. As soon as Thomas Müller showed up, the Whitecaps took another step up in class. While the Caps fell one game short of a championship, the expectations are high for 2026 in Vancouver. Muller will be there from training camp, Ryan Gauld and Brian White are fully healthy, and other key starters are returning. The backline features MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon and Ranko Veselinović, who returns from an injury. Canadian Ali Ahmed has left to play in England, but the club is expected to add a few more players before the start of the campaign.
San Diego FC +1200
After an incredible inaugural season in 2025, where they finished first in the West and reached the conference finals, San Diego FC is poised for another run and contend in 2026. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Anders Dreyer, and Marcus Ingvartsen all return, and they’ve added depth through the draft and signings. Head Coach Mikey Varas has emphasized a “win” mentality, and the team is backed by a solid infrastructure, including a new performance center. Duplicating last season will be tough, but San Diego FC has the roster to push in the conference and make a run in the playoffs.
Seattle Sounders +1200
The Seattle Sounders are a model of consistency, as they are always in the mix to contend for a championship. Last year, their season came to an end in penalties to Minnesota, but did win the 2025 Leagues Cup for the first time. With manager Brian Schmetze and much of the core returning, the Sounders should remain a threat in the west, especially with youngsters like striker Osaze De Rosario and 20-year-old Obed Vargas. Goaltending is their biggest question mark as 39-year old Stefan Frei remains as the number one but dealt with injuries in 2025.  DP midfielder Pedro de la Vega is still rehabbing from a broken patella, but when he returns, expect the Sounders to make a second-half season run.
Longshots
Nashville SC +2500
Nashville SC was one of the top teams midway through 2025, but tailed off in the final third of the season and would eventually lose in the first round to eventual champs, Inter Miami.
Under first-year manager B.J. Callaghan, Nashville’s roster includes 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar and English striker Sam Surridge. Mukhtar, in his fifth MLS season, had 16 goals and 12 assists, while Surridge scored 24 goals to finish second in the MLS Golden Boot race, only behind Messi. Nashville has won the US Open Cup and will be a contender if they find consistency throughout the entire season.  Â
2026 MLS Championship Odds
Inter Miami FC +400
Los Angeles FC +550
Vancouver Whitecaps +900
San Diego FC +1200
Seattle Sounders +1200
FC Cincinnati +1400
Philadelphia Union +1400
Columbus Crew +1600
Los Angeles Galaxy +1600
New York City FC +1600
Nashville SC +2500
Orlando City SC +2500
