First meeting in eight years headlines 2026 MLS season launch as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in an opener that promises to captivate fans
The 2026 MLS season will explode into action with a marquee matchup eight years in the making. LAFC will host Inter Miami on February 21 at the LA Memorial Coliseum, reuniting Son Heung-min and Lionel Messi in an official match for the first time since 2018.
The decision to stage the opener at the 77,500-capacity Coliseum rather than LAFC‘s usual home at BMO Stadium underscores the magnitude of the occasion.
MLS clearly views the Son-Messi clash as a premium attraction capable of elevating the league’s global profile from the very first weekend of competition.
Have Messi and Son ever faced each other?
Messi and Son have previously faced each other on two occasions, during the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group stage, with the Argentine getting the upper hand overall, although the Korean went further in the competition.
Son, 33, and Messi, 38, last faced each other when the Korean forward played for Tottenham Hotspur and the Argentine starred for Barcelona.
There were two more current MLS stars featuring that day: Son’s LAFC teammate Hugo Lloris was in goal for Spurs, while Messi’s long-time strike partner Luis Suárez, now of Inter Miami, was up front for Barcelona.
Those encounters resulted in one win and one draw for Messi’s side, meaning Son still seeks his first victory against arguably the greatest player of all time.
In London, at Wembley Stadium, Barcelona earned a 2-4 win over Tottenham as Messi put in a display for the ages, scoring twice and conducting the game from a deeper role. In Barcelona, Spurs scored a late equaliser to make it 1-1 that was enough to send them through to the knockout stages.
Son would end up reaching the Champions League final that season with Tottenham, eventually losing to Liverpool who had eliminated Messi’s Barça in the semis.
LAFC vs Inter Miami: MLS’ showpiece fixture
MLS designated the contest as the single most important match to watch in the 2026 season. LAFC reinforced that messaging, declaring that “the league’s top stars are opening the season at a historic venue.” The club recognizes this represents far more than a typical season opener.
Messi has cemented his status as MLS’s most recognizable face since joining Inter Miami. He recorded 20 goals and 16 assists in 2024 before claiming the league’s golden boot in 2025, proving his dominance transcends age and geography. Miami’s championship-winning campaign only amplified his influence across the league.
Son transformed LAFC immediately upon his summer arrival. The South Korean international netted nine goals with three assists across just 10 regular season matches, then continued his decisive contributions through the playoffs as LAFC advanced to the Western Conference semi-finals.
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He quickly established himself as the undisputed “face of the West” to match Messi’s reign in the East.
Inter Miami vs LAFC: team news and transfer activity
Inter Miami signed Mexican international forward Germán Berterame from CF Monterrey, a designated player acquisition reportedly around a significant fee, adding firepower to an already star-studded attack led by Messi.
They also secured goalkeeper Luis Barraza on a free transfer, bringing MLS experience between the sticks, and made the permanent transfer of young goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo from Lanús.
Earlier in January, Inter Miami bolstered defence with the arrival of Facundo Mura on a free transfer and strengthened midfield through the trade for David Ayala.
These signings followed permanent deals for Tadeo Allende and the addition of homegrown forward Dániel Pintér, highlighting a blend of experienced and emerging talent.
LAFC were less active but still made notable moves in January to refine their squad ahead of the 2026 campaign.
The headline late-window move was the loan signing of Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio from FC Porto, a seasoned international who adds creativity and stability to LAFC’s midfield.
Alongside that, the club promoted from within by elevating goalkeeper Cabral Carter and midfielder Matt Evans from LAFC2, emphasising their strategy of integrating homegrown talent into the first team.
When and where to watch Inter Miami vs LAFC
Inter Miami face LAFC on Saturday, February 21, in one of the standout fixtures on MLS opening weekend. The match will be played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California, with kick off scheduled for 21:30 ET / 18:30 PT in the United States.
That translates to 02:30 GMT (Sunday, February 22) in the United Kingdom and 03:30 am CET across much of central Europe.
The prime-time West Coast slot means a late night for viewers in Europe, while fans in the U.S. can tune in during a traditional Saturday evening window.
The game will be available to watch globally on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass, which carries every MLS match live with no local blackouts. In the United States, viewers can stream the game through the Apple TV app on smart TVs, streaming devices, tablets and mobile phones.
