History is made.
Atlanta United's Thiago Almada has become the first active MLS player to make the FIFA World Cup final, after Argentina defeated Croatia by 3-0 in the semifinals in Qatar 2022. When Argentina and Croatia kicked off their match on Tuesday, Almada became only the second active MLS player to be part of a World Cup semifinal, after Toronto FC's Júlio César who represented Brazil in the 2014 semifinal vs Germany.
Almada is one of the 36 MLS players who made the World Cup rosters for their respective countries when the tournament started and it's the only one left representing an MLS club in the competition. If Argentina were to win the title, something they haven't achieved since 1986, Almada will also become the first Argentinean to have both played in MLS and win the FIFA World Cup, at the same time.
There have been a total of nine World Cup champions who have played in MLS in the past, but none of them played in the final as an active member of an MLS club, and came to the League after they've raised the trophy.
Argentina will now face the winner of either France and Morocco, who play on Wednesday.
Come and join your fellow 17s at the official Atlanta United FIFA World Cup 2022™ Final Watch Party presented by Coca-Cola on Sunday, December 18th at the Coca-Cola Roxy, located in The Battery. Doors open at 9 a.m., and all guests are required to have a ticket to attend the event. Tickets are free but must be redeemable online.
