Messi leads 29-man MLS All-Star roster to face Liga MX at Charlotte on July 29

Lionel Messi will headline the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, leading a 29-player squad against the Liga MX All-Stars at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 29.

The Inter Miami forward, 39, was among 11 players voted in by fans following results announced on June 5. A two-time league MVP and reigning MLS Cup champion, Messi has been in exceptional form this season, recording a league-high 20 goal contributions — 12 goals and eight assists — across just 14 appearances.

The bulk of the squad, 16 players, was selected by Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith, whose club is hosting the event. MLS Commissioner Don Garber added two special picks: 18-year-old New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall and Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea.

Among the other prominent names, Chicago Fire’s Hugo Cuypers — the current Golden Boot leader with 13 goals — earned a fan vote spot alongside LAFC’s Son Heung-Min. Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Muller and Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul were among Smith’s coaching selections, as were Charlotte FC trio Pep Biel, Ashley Westwood, and Tim Ream.

The United States men’s national team is represented by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten, and New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, all of whom received coach’s selections.

The 29-man roster spans three goalkeepers, ten defenders, nine midfielders, and seven forwards drawn from 20 different MLS clubs, reflecting the league’s growing depth ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.