Major League Soccer's All-Stars are set to take on Liga MX's All-Stars in a match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
This match continues the tradition of pitting the two North American leagues against each other, rather than featuring teams from within a single league. The event comes during a compressed MLS season, which experienced a break from late May until mid-July due to the World Cup hosted in North America. The league resumed on July 16 with a series of rivalry matches.
Charlotte FC's head coach, Dean Smith, has chosen the MLS roster for this event on his home turf. The 29-player lineup was formed through a combination of fan votes, Smith's selections, and two picks made by MLS commissioner Don Garber.
Notable players in the squad include high-profile signings Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller, along with Toronto FC's Richie Laryea and three representatives from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In the days leading up to the match, the roster underwent changes. Initially named players Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Lionel Messi were later replaced for various reasons, with Messi and De Paul excused for rest.
Liga MX has announced a squad of 24 players, including four from Toluca, the recent champions of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul leads with five players, while CF Pachuca also contributes four.
This match is the highlight of a week-long series of events in Charlotte, which includes a fan festival and other related activities. The exhibition reflects the growing interaction between MLS and Liga MX, as players frequently transfer between the leagues, and clubs often meet in continental competitions. Historically, Liga MX teams have had an advantage in these matchups, adding a competitive element to the exhibition.
