Major League Soccer's All-Stars are set to face off against Liga MX's All-Stars at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday and is part of a showcase that highlights the competition between the two prominent North American leagues.
This exhibition continues the tradition of pitting MLS against Liga MX rather than featuring intra-league contests. The timing is significant as it comes during a compressed MLS calendar, which experienced a pause from late May to mid-July for the World Cup held across North America. The league resumed play on July 16 with several rivalry matches.
Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith has taken the lead in selecting the MLS roster, which consists of 29 players. This selection was made through a combination of fan votes, Smith's own choices, and two selections from MLS commissioner Don Garber. Notable players include 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 saw some changes. Initially named players Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Lionel Messi were replaced for various reasons, with Messi and De Paul excused for rest.
On the Liga MX side, 24 players have been named, with Toluca contributing four players after their recent victory in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul leads with five players, while CF Pachuca also has four representatives.
The match serves as a focal point for a week of events in Charlotte, which includes a fan festival and various related programming. The format of MLS versus Liga MX reflects the increasing interactions between the two leagues, as players frequently transfer between them and clubs often compete in continental tournaments.
