'This was a Herculean task' - MLS commissioner Don Garber hails Club World Cup as 'incredible success' and 'proud moment' for soccer in the U.S.

MLS commissioner Don Garber is full of praise for the revamped Club World Cup, dubbing it an "incredible success" and a "proud moment' for soccer in the U.S., saying the competition served as a perfect test run for the 2026 World Cup.

"This was a Herculean task. I don't think everyone understands how difficult it is to have dozens and dozens of matches, all running several times a week, in stadiums that have never hosted this type of competition," Garber told Reuters.

"Everything wasn't perfect but nothing in life is perfect,” Garber said. "If you strive to make progress every day, to innovate both on and off the field, you can achieve something special. I look forward to seeing what this tournament can be in the future."

Garber hailed the impact of the CWC.

"Whenever you do something new that changes people's perspective on international competition, there are always questions about how it will come together and what impact it will have," he said. "We always have a bit of a chip on our shoulder here in the U.S. soccer business."

He also said he was proud of the performances the participating MLS clubs - Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders and LAFC - although Lionel Messi's squad was the only one of the three to win a game and get out of the group stage.

"It surprised a lot of people." he said. "For decades, we've been trying to show the world we can be an influential, meaningful part of the global soccer conversation."

The expanded 32-team tournament, the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, was played across 12 venues in 11 cities in the United States, and considered something of a dry run for the 2026 World Cup. Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in the final, but there was a strong global presence throughout, with Fluminense making the semifinal.

While acknowledging that Europe's clubs remain dominant on the world stage, Garber said the CWC offered a platform for emerging clubs and leagues.

"There's a lot of positive things happening in Brazil, in the United States," he said. "Some of the leagues that don't get as much exposure as the super clubs were able to stand tall."

MLS returns to play Wednesday night. America's top flight has four more match weeks before opening Leagues Cup opens with matches against Liga MX teams later this month.