On July 8, 2026, the Major League Soccer (MLS) announced its full 29-man All-Star Game roster, featuring standout players like Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF and U.S. internationals Tim Ream, Matt Freese, Max Arfsten, and Sebastian Berhalter. The match will take place on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, against Liga MX All-Stars.
Notable Players in the All-Star Selection
The MLS All-Star roster includes a total of 13 players who participated in the recent World Cup. Among them, Lionel Messi was previously announced alongside 10 other players in June. The selection reflects a diverse range of talent, with players hailing from 15 different nationalities; the United States has the highest representation with 10 players.
Ream's inclusion marks a significant return, as he was first selected for the All-Star game 15 years ago in 2011. This year’s roster also highlights the dominance of Nashville SC, which boasts four players: Hany Mukhtar, Andy Nájar, Brian Schwake, and Sam Surridge.
2026 MLS All-Star Game Roster Breakdown
The roster is divided into three main categories: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Here’s a breakdown of the selections:
- Goalkeepers (3): Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City SC), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
- Defenders (10): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
- Midfielders (9): Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)
- Forwards (7): Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire FC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Leo Messi (Inter Miami CF), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC)
MLS vs. Liga MX: A Historic Rivalry
The upcoming match on July 29 will mark the fifth time MLS and Liga MX have faced off in the All-Star Game. Historically, MLS has performed well in these encounters, securing three wins out of the previous four matches. The clash promises to showcase top-tier talent and highlight the competitive spirit between the two leagues.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by ESPN Soccer. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
