The MLS All-Stars will compete against Liga MX All-Stars in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. The match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium.
This exhibition continues the tradition of pitting the two North American leagues against each other, rather than hosting an intra-league match. This event comes during a condensed MLS season, which experienced a break from late May until mid-July due to the World Cup held across North America. The league resumed on July 16 with several rivalry games.
Dean Smith, head coach of Charlotte FC, selected the MLS roster for this match taking place on his home turf. The 29-player lineup was put together through a combination of fan voting, Smith's own picks, and selections made by MLS commissioner Don Garber.
Highlighting the roster are two of the league's most notable signings, Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller. Other players include Richie Laryea from Toronto FC and three representatives from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In the days leading up to the match, changes were made to the roster, with players such as Messi and Rodrigo De Paul excused for rest, while Hugo Cuypers and Mbekezeli Mbokazi were replaced for other reasons.
Liga MX has named 24 players to its squad, with Toluca contributing four members after recently winning the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul has the highest representation with five players, and CF Pachuca also has four on the roster.
The match is part of a week-long series of events in Charlotte, including a fan festival and various related activities. The format of MLS versus Liga MX highlights the close relationship between the two leagues, as player transfers between them are common, and they frequently meet in continental competitions.
