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Hot on the heels of sending 45 players to the 2026 World Cup, MLS is set to showcase its talent once again this summer, announcing a 29-player roster for the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, where the MLS side will face the Liga MX All-Stars on July 29.
This year's selection features 13 players who appeared in World Cup squads, among them U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Matt Freese of New York City FC, fullback Max Arfsten of the Columbus Crew, Charlotte FC center back Tim Ream, and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.
Argentina and Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were also included in the squad, though questions are already swirling around the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's participation in the All-Star festivities following his absence in 2025.
Two Canadian World Cup players also made the cut, including Toronto FC fullback Richie Laryea and Orlando City starting goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who delivered memorable World Cup moments but has faced difficulties in MLS play.
Of the 29 selections, just nine are American, with South Korean superstar Son Heung-min and German legend Thomas Müller among those adding international flair to the multinational roster. Eleven players were chosen through fan voting, while MLS All-Star and Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith handpicked 12, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber contributed two commissioner's picks.
The MLS vs. Liga MX format returns in 2026 for the fifth time in the past six seasons, representing the latest chapter in the MLS All-Star series, which previously featured Conference matchups and clashes against prominent European clubs in earlier editions.
In 2025, MLS defeated Liga MX 3–1, bouncing back from a 4–1 defeat in 2024. Beyond the main match, select players will also take part in the MLS Skills Challenge on July 28.
Will Lionel Messi Play?
This marks the third consecutive time MLS has included Lionel Messi on the All-Star Game roster, yet the now-39-year-old has yet to appear in the actual match. Last season, neither he nor teammate Jordi Alba showed up despite being voted in by fans, and in 2024, an ankle injury kept him sidelined.
This time around, both he and De Paul will be coming off an intense campaign with La Albiceleste at the 2026 World Cup, which could further cloud their availability. Meanwhile, the expanded 29-player roster — three more than last year's — appears deliberately designed to accommodate potential absences.
Should Messi or any other players choose to sit out the MLS All-Star Game, MLS will impose an automatic one-game suspension, which for Messi could mean missing Inter Miami's August 1 fixture against the Columbus Crew — their first match following the All-Star break.
2026 MLS All-Star: Full Roster
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
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