The MLS All-Stars will take on the Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. This match continues the tradition of pitting the two North American leagues against each other instead of hosting an exhibition within a single league.
The game comes during a busy period for MLS, which had a hiatus from late May to mid-July for the World Cup 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 for the match. The 29-player lineup was created through a combination of fan voting, Smith's own choices, and selections made by MLS commissioner Don Garber. Notable players included in the roster are Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller, alongside Toronto FC's Richie Laryea and three players from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In the lead-up to the match, there were changes to the roster. Initially included were Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Lionel Messi, but they were later replaced for various reasons, with Messi and De Paul excused for rest.
Liga MX has announced a squad of 24 players, which features four representatives from Toluca, the recent winners of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul has the highest number of players on the team, with five, while CF Pachuca contributes four.
This match is a highlight of a week-long series of events in Charlotte, including a fan festival and other related activities. The format of MLS versus Liga MX underscores the close relationship between the two leagues, where player transfers are common and clubs face off in continental competitions.
