Major League Soccer's All-Stars will face Liga MX's All-Stars at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. 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 game comes during a condensed MLS schedule, following a pause from late May through mid-July due to the World Cup held across North America. The league resumed its season on July 16, introducing a series of rivalry matches.
Charlotte FC's head coach Dean Smith selected the MLS roster on home turf, which consists of 29 players. The team was formed through a combination of fan voting for 11 players, 12 selections by Smith, and two picks made by MLS commissioner Don Garber.
Among the notable players on the roster are high-profile signings Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller, along with Toronto FC's Richie Laryea and three players from the Vancouver Whitecaps. In the days leading up to the match, the roster underwent changes as players like Messi and De Paul were excused for rest, while Cuypers, Mbokazi, and others were replaced for various reasons.
Liga MX's squad features 24 players, including four from Toluca, who recently secured the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul has the most representatives with five players, and CF Pachuca contributes four.
This match is 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 showcases the growing interconnectivity of the two leagues, with frequent player transfers and competitive matchups in continental tournaments. Historically, Liga MX teams have had an advantage in these encounters, adding a layer of competitiveness to the exhibition.
