Cooper Sanchez named to MLS’ 2026 22 Under 22 list

Major League Soccer today unveiled the full 2026 22 Under 22 class highlighting the best young domestic and international players across the league. Players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS on Apple TV talent, and select media. Atlanta United midfielder Cooper Sanchez ranks No. 18 on the list amidst a breakout 2026 season and has recorded five assists in 27 appearances (22 starts) in 1,777 minutes of MLS action.

Sanchez, 18, signed a Homegrown contract on Aug. 5, 2025. He made his First Team debut as a substitute in a Leagues Cup match against Atlas on Aug. 6, 2025, and his MLS debut on Sept. 13 against Columbus Crew. He scored his first goal with Atlanta United’s First Team this season in Atlanta’s 2-0 win against Charlotte FC in U.S. Open Cup on April 28.

The midfielder joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2018 and was part of the 2023 U-16 side that went 22-1-1 in the Regular Season and took home the MLS NEXT Cup, where he scored in a 3-1 victory over Strikers FC in the title match. He made his professional debut with Atlanta United 2 in MLS NEXT Pro on April 22, 2023 against Chicago Fire 2, becoming the youngest player in club history to appear for ATL UTD 2 (15 years, 27 days). He signed a professional contract with ATL UTD 2 on July 2, 2024 and scored his first professional goal against Huntsville City FC in a 2-0 win. The midfielder made 28 appearances in MLS NEXT Pro and recorded one goal and two assists.

At the international level, Sanchez has made five appearances for the U.S. U-20s and previously made two appearances for the U.S. U-18s and 10 appearances for the U.S. U-17s, including three appearances at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.  He was part of the U-20 squad that qualified for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan this summer with a runner-up finish at the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship.

Topping the 2026 list is Philadelphia Union and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who, at 17 years and 22 days old, becomes the youngest player ever to earn the No. 1 ranking, surpassing Alphonso Davies’ previous record of 17 years and 355 days (2018).

The 2026 22 Under 22 class highlights the next generation of MLS talent, with 16 clubs represented and an average player age of approximately 20 years old. The class underscores the continued impact of MLS player development pathways, with 17 players having competed in MLS NEXT, 16 in MLS NEXT Pro and 15 signing Homegrown contracts.

The group also boasts significant international experience, with 12 players earning senior national team call-ups for a combined 39 international appearances. Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Justin Ellis, Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield all debuted for the United States during the latest international window, while South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi leads the class with 15 senior caps, including four appearances at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Manu Duah, Ronald Donkor, and Bruno Caicedo have also earned senior national team call-ups for Ghana and Ecuador, respectively.

To be eligible for voting, players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on November 7, 2026 and therefore must have been born after November 8, 2004. The all-time 22 Under 22 winners are below. Note: Prior to 2018, the list was known as the 24 Under 24.