Major League Soccer's All-Star match is scheduled for Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the MLS All-Stars will take on a team of Liga MX All-Stars. The game is set to begin at 8 p.m.
This matchup continues the tradition of pitting the two North American leagues against each other, rather than hosting an exhibition within a single league. The timing is notable, as the MLS season had a break from late May until mid-July due to the World Cup, which was held across North America. The league resumed on July 16 with a series of rivalry matches.
Dean Smith, head coach of Charlotte FC, selected the MLS roster on his home turf. The 29-player lineup was created through a combination of supporter votes for 11 players, 12 selections made by Smith, and two picks from MLS commissioner Don Garber.
Highlighting the roster are two of the league's most prominent signings: Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller. Other notable players include Richie Laryea from Toronto FC, and three representatives from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In the lead-up to the match, the roster experienced changes, with players such as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Hugo Cuypers being replaced for various reasons, including rest for Messi and De Paul.
On the Liga MX side, 24 players have been named. Toluca, which recently won the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, has four players on the squad. Cruz Azul boasts the highest representation with five players, while CF Pachuca also contributes four.
The match serves as the highlight of a week-long series of events in Charlotte, including a fan festival and related activities. The format of MLS versus Liga MX underscores the growing interconnectivity between the two leagues, with players frequently transferring between them and their clubs facing off in continental competitions.
