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The 2026 FIFA World Cup may be over, but soccer's biggest stars won't be off the pitch for long. Fans who spent the past six weeks following Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and other international standouts can continue watching them as Europe's top domestic leagues and Major League Soccer resume over the next few weeks.
Here's where to find the biggest names from the World Cup.
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul return to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami CF as the league resumes after its World Cup break, although they aren't expected this week. Messi is in Argentina at the moment visiting his dad, who is very ill. MLS is entering the second half of its season, with matches continuing through the fall before the playoffs begin. Apple TV remains the league's primary streaming home, while select games are also carried by FOX and FS1 in the United States.
Jude Bellingham heads back to Spain, where he'll once again suit up for Real Madrid in La Liga. The Spanish top flight kicks off its new season on Aug. 15, with Bellingham expected to be one of the league's biggest attractions alongside teammate Kylian Mbappé. U.S. viewers can watch La Liga matches on ESPN platforms.
Erling Haaland will return to Manchester City as the English Premier League begins its new campaign on Aug. 21. Widely regarded as the world's most competitive domestic league, the Premier League also features many of the stars who shined during the World Cup. Fans in the United States can watch matches across NBC, USA Network, Peacock and other NBC Sports platforms.
Harry Kane, meanwhile, returns to Bayern Munich after leading England to another deep World Cup run. Bayern opens its Bundesliga title defense when Germany's top division begins on Aug. 28. Bundesliga matches are available in the United States through USA Network and streaming partners.
Fans looking for more international club competition won't have to wait long either. The UEFA Champions League, featuring many of the players who starred at the World Cup, returns in September with Europe's elite clubs competing for continental glory. Paramount+ will once again carry the competition in the United States.
Other World Cup stars are also heading back to their clubs. Spain's young sensation Lamine Yamal resumes play with Barcelona in La Liga, while France captain Kylian Mbappé joins Bellingham at Real Madrid. Norway's Erling Haaland returns to Manchester City, and Argentina's World Cup heroes will spread back across Europe's biggest leagues and MLS.
For fans who discovered soccer through the World Cup, experts recommend choosing one or two leagues to follow instead of trying to watch everything. The Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and MLS all offer different styles of play, with many of the same players who captivated audiences during the tournament.
The next major international tournament is still months away, but the global soccer calendar rarely stops. From Messi's quest for another MLS title to Bellingham's pursuit of trophies with Real Madrid and Haaland's relentless goal-scoring for Manchester City, the stars of the World Cup will be back in action almost immediately, giving fans plenty of reasons to keep watching long after the final whistle in North America.
World Cup Stars' Next Matches and Where to Watch in the U.S.
- Lionel Messi and De Paul: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, Wednesday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Watch on Apple TV. They aren't expected to play until next week.
- Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé: Real Madrid vs. Fiorentina, Saturday, Aug. 1, at noon ET, in a preseason friendly in Austria. U.S. broadcast information has not been announced.
- Erling Haaland: Manchester City vs. Inter Milan, Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 a.m. ET, in Hong Kong. U.S. broadcast information has not been announced.
- Harry Kane: Bayern Munich vs. Aston Villa, Friday, Aug. 7, at 8 a.m. ET, in a preseason friendly. U.S. broadcast information has not been announced.
- Lamine Yamal: Elche vs. Barcelona, Sunday, Aug. 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Watch in the United States through ESPN's La Liga platforms, primarily ESPN+.
- Bellingham and Mbappé's first La Liga match: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad, Aug. 15 or 16, with the kickoff time still to be confirmed. Watch through ESPN's platforms, primarily ESPN+.
- Haaland's first Premier League match: Manchester City vs. Bournemouth, Sunday, Aug. 23, at 9 a.m. ET. Watch through NBC Sports, USA Network or Peacock, with the specific outlet to be announced.
- Kane's first Bundesliga match: Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart, Friday, Aug. 28, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Watch on USA Network or Fandango, with the specific platform to be confirmed.
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