The 2026 MLS All-Star Game brings together the best players from MLS and Liga MX at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 29.
This year marks the fifth edition of the popular MLS versus Liga MX All-Star format, which has grown into one of the summer’s most anticipated football showcases.
Lionel Messi will miss the event for a second straight year after MLS excused him and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul from the fixture.
Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith takes charge of the MLS All-Star squad, which features an impressive 11 players who appeared at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who represented Croatia at the World Cup, leads the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race with 13 goals heading into the All-Star break.
LAFC forward Son Heung-Min has registered three goals and a joint MLS-best 10 assists during his first full season since joining on a league-record deal from Tottenham Hotspur.
Son played at his fourth World Cup with South Korea this summer, adding another remarkable chapter to an already legendary international career.
Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira, Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington, and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream were among the World Cup participants represented in the MLS roster.
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Andrés Cubas also earned All-Star selections after strong World Cup campaigns.
The full MLS All-Star roster contains 29 players drawn from 21 different clubs across the league.
On the Liga MX side, Cruz Azul midfielder Erik Lira, Toluca FC defender Jesús Gallardo, Club América defender Israel Reyes, and Santos Laguna goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo all featured for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.
Toluca, fresh off winning the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, contribute five players to the Liga MX squad, with Antonio Mohamed serving as head coach of the selection.
Chivas lead all Liga MX clubs with six representatives named to the All-Star roster, underlining their squad depth and quality this season.
UEFA Champions League winner and Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Pumas earns a nomination, competing for the starting spot alongside Tigres shot-stopper Nahuel Guzmán.
MLS currently holds a 3-1 series advantage in the All-Star format, having won the most recent match 3-1 against Liga MX back in 2025.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with the match streaming exclusively on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app.
Both English and Spanish-language commentary options are available through MLS Season Pass, accessible on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming boxes, and online at tv.apple.com.
Fans can also catch the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge on Apple TV on Tuesday, July 28, starting at 7:30 PM ET.
