THE APEX TIMES
Major League Soccer resumes on Apple TV as league picks up after FIFA World Cup break
Apple is set to carry MLS action again beginning July 16, pairing the league’s restart with marquee matchups and World Cup returnees across 30 clubs.
Major League Soccer returns to Apple TV on July 16 as the league’s monthlong pause for the FIFA World Cup ends and regular-season play resumes. Apple said all 30 MLS clubs will be back in action following the World Cup Final, with multiple headline matchups slated across July 16 and 17.
The restart includes several rivalries and high-profile pairings. Apple highlighted the Cascadia Cup, a long-running rivalry between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers, as one of the featured contests. It also pointed to a “Southern showdown” between Nashville SC and Atlanta United FC, and to a new edition of El Tráfico involving the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club.
Apple’s announcement tied the MLS schedule to the World Cup’s impact on player availability. It said a record 45 MLS players, representing 22 clubs and 17 countries, participated in the 2026 World Cup and were expected to return to their clubs this week as league matches resume.
Among the players highlighted by Apple are eight who represented the United States during the tournament. Apple singled out Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, saying he helped the U.S. achieve its best group-stage finish at the World Cup.
The company also pointed to notable runs by other countries represented in MLS. Apple cited Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira as a consistent starter for Cape Verde, which it said reached the round of 32 in the nation’s first-ever World Cup. For Canada, Apple named Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, saying he played every minute as Canada earned its first World Cup victory and advanced to the knockout stage for the first time.
The announcement gave extra attention to Lionel Messi’s World Cup performance. Apple said Messi, captain of Inter Miami CF, became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, reaching eight goals while captaining Argentina as it pursued a second consecutive World Cup title. It framed Messi as a central figure in a broader group of MLS international stars expected to return for the restart.
In addition to World Cup storylines, Apple said the summer brought further international additions. It noted that Antoine Griezmann, described as a decorated French international and 2018 World Cup champion, has joined Orlando City SC after 10 seasons with Atlético Madrid, where Apple said he became the club’s all-time leading scorer. The company also said Angus Gunn, a Scottish goalkeeper who started all three of Scotland’s World Cup matches, has joined the San Jose Earthquakes, and that Robert Lewandowski signed with the Chicago Fire during the summer transfer window.
Apple connected those transfers to a specific headline game on July 16. It said Lewandowski will face Thomas Müller, who is now with the Vancouver Whitecaps, when Chicago hosts Vancouver at Soldier Field. Apple described the pairing as a reunion of two of soccer’s most prolific attacking duos, using it as an additional marquee storyline for MLS’s resumption.
The company also tied its MLS coverage to product access and distribution. Apple said EA SPORTS FC Mobile players can watch the match live through a simulcast of Apple TV’s broadcast on FCM TV, and that eligible players of EA SPORTS FC 26 and EA SPORTS FC Mobile can access a one-month free trial of Apple TV. For fans, Apple promoted the Apple Sports app for iPhone as a place to check scores and stats, view lineup formations and play-by-play, and open matches via the Apple TV app.
Why It Matters
- For Apple, a successful MLS restart helps keep the sports lineup prominent and supports continued engagement across Apple TV and the Apple Sports app.
- The announcement underscores how international tournaments can affect major-league sports distribution, with Apple positioning World Cup returnees as a key reason to watch immediately.
- By spotlighting multiple rivalries and new star arrivals, Apple is attempting to make the restart feel like more than a routine schedule flip, which can matter for subscriber retention.
- The integration with EA SPORTS FC Mobile and Apple TV trials suggests Apple is using sports to drive cross-platform product adoption rather than relying on Apple TV alone.
Key Facts
- Apple said MLS returns to Apple TV on July 16 after the league’s World Cup break and that all 30 clubs will be in action.
- Apple highlighted six marquee matchups across July 16 and 17, including Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers, Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United FC, and LA Galaxy vs. LAFC.
- Apple said a record 45 MLS players from 22 clubs in 17 countries participated in the 2026 World Cup and are expected to return this week.
- Apple noted World Cup storylines including Sebastian Berhalter (U.S.), Steven Moreira (Cape Verde), Maxime Crépeau (Canada), and Lionel Messi becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
- Apple said Antoine Griezmann joined Orlando City SC, Angus Gunn joined San Jose Earthquakes, and Robert Lewandowski signed with the Chicago Fire.
- Apple highlighted a July 16 matchup at Soldier Field with Lewandowski facing Thomas Müller, now with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Apple promoted match viewing access through EA SPORTS FC Mobile and a one-month Apple TV trial for eligible EA SPORTS FC players.
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