Larry Berg, co-owner of Los Angeles FC, will become the next commissioner of Major League Soccer, taking over from Don Garber at the start of next year as the league seeks to build on the momentum of the 2026 World Cup.
The league announced the appointment on Monday, with Berg set to be formally introduced on Tuesday at MLS headquarters in New York. The 60-year-old executive will divest his ownership interest in LAFC before assuming the role.
Garber, who has led the league since 1999, will remain commissioner through the end of the 2026 season before transitioning to the position of chairman. His tenure has coincided with a dramatic expansion of the sport in North America, both in the number of clubs and in the league’s commercial reach.
“I’m honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era,” Berg said in a statement. “Major League Soccer has achieved tremendous success, but I believe our greatest opportunities are still ahead. We have an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the quality of our competition, develop more world-class players, deepen our connection with supporters, and continue elevating Major League Soccer’s place in the global game.”
Berg has co-owned LAFC for roughly a decade, a period during which the club established itself as one of the league’s most competitive and commercially prominent franchises. His departure from that ownership stake is intended to avoid conflicts of interest in his new league-wide role.
The transition arrives at a pivotal moment for the league, which has pursued aggressive growth through international partnerships and high-profile commercial deals. In recent years MLS has moved to broaden its digital footprint and secured major retail tie-ins, including a partnership with a leading American retailer timed to the buildup around the 2026 World Cup.
Garber endorsed his successor, citing their close working relationship. “Having worked closely with Larry over the past decade, I’ve seen firsthand the qualities that make him an exceptional leader, and I have complete confidence he is the right person to serve as Major League Soccer’s next commissioner,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to deliver a significant boost in visibility for soccer across North America. League officials hope the tournament will accelerate growth in viewership, sponsorship and player development.
Berg will officially begin his term at the start of the new year, overseeing the league’s strategy in the wake of the World Cup and its continued push to raise its profile in the global game.