Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium will be the epicenter of North American soccer this summer, hosting the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. The marquee event will pit the MLS All-Stars against a team of stars from Liga MX, the top tier of Mexican soccer. This exciting match, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and broadcast on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, promises a night of unparalleled soccer talent and historic rivalry between thes two competitive leagues.
The MLS All-Star Game and MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, presented by Chime, mark the fifth time that the best players from MLS and Liga MX will face off in a clash filled with pride and passion. This matchup is a key part of the growing partnership between the two leagues, which also includes the popular Leagues Cup and the Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup. The collaboration seeks to strengthen soccer in the region and offer fans high-caliber matches that transcend national borders.
Historically, MLS has dominated three of the four previous matchups in the MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX. In 2021, MLS prevailed in a thrilling penalty shootout in Los Angeles, and in 2022, it secured a 2-1 victory in Minnesota. However, Liga MX took the win in the last clash in 2024, with a resounding 4-1 victory in Columbus, but MLS won 3-1 the following year in Austin, adding extra excitement to this new duel in Charlotte.

What time does the 2026 MLS All-Star Game start worldwide?
The matchup between the MLS & Liga MX All-Star teams is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (Eastern Time), but time zones vary worldwide. Here’s the global schedule to catch the main event live:
| COUNTRY / REGION | TIME (KICKOFF) | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| USA (Eastern Time) | 8pm ET | Wednesday, July 29 |
| USA (Pacific Time) | 5pm PT | Wednesday, July 29 |
| Mexico (CDMX) | 6pm | Wednesday, July 29 |
| Peru, Colombia, Ecuador | 7pm | Wednesday, July 29 |
| Venezuela, Bolivia | 8pm | Wednesday, July 29 |
| Argentina, Chile | 9pm | Wednesday, July 29 |
| United Kingdom | 1am BST | Thursday, July 30 |
| Spain, France, Germany | 2am CEST | Thursday, July 30 |
| Philippines | 8am PHT | Thursday, July 30 |
| Japan, South Korea | 9am JST/KST | Thursday, July 30 |
| India | 5:30am IST | Thursday, July 30 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 10am AEST | Thursday, July 30 |
| South Africa, Nigeria | 1am WAT | Thursday, July 30 |
Note: Times may vary slightly depending on the duration of earlier fights.

MLS vs. Liga MX 2026 All-Star Game: Confirmed Player and Coach Rosters
Excitement is building for the highly anticipated MLS All-Star Game 2026, where Major League Soccer’s top talents will face off against the stars of Liga MX. Both rosters have been announced, promising a high-level soccer spectacle. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the teams, their coaches, and the clubs represented, ideal for soccer fans looking for key information about this event.
MLS All-Stars Roster
The 2026 MLS All-Stars team features an impressive lineup of 29 players from 19 different clubs in the league. Nashville SC leads the roster with four representatives, highlighting its strong presence on the all-star team. At the helm will be Dean Smith of Charlotte FC, who takes on the role of head coach for this prestigious match.
Goalkeepers (3):
- Maxime Crépeau - Orlando City | Coach’s Selection
- Matt Freese - New York City FC | Coach’s Selection
- Brian Schwake - Nashville SC | Voted In
Defenders (9):
- Max Arfsten - Columbus Crew | Coach’s Selection
- Lucas Herrington - Colorado Rapids | Coach’s Selection
- Richie Laryea - Toronto FC | Commissioner’s Pick
- Anthony Markanich - Minnesota United FC | Voted In
- Steven Moreira - Columbus Crew | Coach’s Selection
- Daniel Munie - San Jose Earthquakes | Coach’s Selection
- Andy Najar - Nashville SC | Voted In
- Jackson Ragen - Seattle Sounders FC | Coach’s Selection
- Tim Ream - Charlotte FC | Voted In
Midfielders (10):
- Sebastian Berhalter - Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Voted In
- Pep Biel - Charlotte FC | Coach’s Selection
- Yannick Bright - Inter Miami CF | Coach’s Selection
- Andrés Cubas - Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Coach’s Selection
- Evander - FC Cincinnati | Coach’s Selection
- Carles Gil - New England Revolution | Coach’s Selection
- Zavier Gozo - Real Salt Lake | Voted In
- Hany Mukhtar - Nashville SC | Voted In
- Thomas Müller - Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Coach’s Selection
- Ashley Westwood - Charlotte FC | Coach’s Selection
Forwards (7):
- Anders Dreyer - San Diego FC | Coach’s Selection
- Guilherme - Houston Dynamo FC | Coach’s Selection
- Julian Hall - Red Bull New York | Commissioner’s Pick
- Son Heung-Min - LAFC | Voted In
- Petar Musa - FC Dallas | Coach’s Selection
- Sam Surridge - Nashville SC | Coach’s Selection
- Philip Zinckernagel - Chicago Fire FC | Coach’s Selection
Selection process: The original roster was selected through a combination of voting (12 players), selections by MLS All-Star coach Dean Smith (12 players) and those picked by MLS Commissioner Don Garber (2 players).
LIGA MX All-Stars Roster
On the Liga MX All-Stars side, the roster is made up of 26 players from 8 different clubs, with Chivas Guadalajara contributing the most talent, with six players selected. Toluca coach Antonio Mohamed will be in charge of leading the Mexican league’s all-star team. The presence of outstanding players and a new technical leadership promise a competitive and cohesive team to face the MLS squad.
Goalkeepers (2):
- Nahuel Guzmán - Tigres UANL
- Keylor Navas - Pumas UNAM
Defenders (9):
- Willer Ditta - Cruz Azul
- Jesús Gallardo - Toluca FC
- Jesús Garza - Tigres UANL
- Bryan González - Chivas Guadalajara
- Richy Ledezma - Chivas Guadalajara
- Bruno Méndez - Toluca FC
- Federico Pereira - Toluca FC
- Israel Reyes - Club América
- Nathan Silva - Pumas UNAM
Midfielders (12):
- Juan Brunetta - Tigres UANL
- Kevin Castañeda - Chivas Guadalajara
- Nicolás Castro - Toluca FC
- Iker Fimbres - CF Monterrey
- Fernando Gorriarán - Tigres UANL
- Brian Gutiérrez - Chivas Guadalajara
- Erik Lira - Cruz Azul
- Gilberto Mora - Club Tijuana
- José Paradela - Cruz Azul
- Brian Rodríguez - Club América
- Carlos “Charly” Rodríguez - Cruz Azul
- Franco Romero - Toluca FC
Forwards (3):
- Armando González - Chivas Guadalajara
- Robert Morales - Pumas UNAM
- Santiago Sandoval - Chivas Guadalajara
2026 All-Star Game possible starting lineups
MLS All-Star Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Maxime Crépeau
- Defenders: Steven Moreira, Jackson Ragen, Tim Ream, Richie Laryea
- Midfielders: Andrés Cubas, Evander, Carles Gil, Thomas Müller, Son Heung-min
- Forward: Petar Musa
Liga MX All-Star Starting Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Carlos Acevedo
- Defenders: Israel Reyes, Willer Ditta, Federico Pereira, Jesús Gallardo
- Midfielders: Carlos Rodríguez, Fernando Gorriarán, Erik Lira
- Forwards: Juan Brunetta, José Paradela, Salomón Rondón
2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge winners
Before the highly anticipated clash between Major League Soccer and Liga MX, the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge delivered a spectacular showcase of technical brilliance. Top-tier footballers from both North American leagues went head-to-head in a fast-paced tournament designed to test precision, agility, and ball control. This annual competition has become a fan-favorite staple in the US soccer calendar, offering audiences a closer look at the raw talent defining the sport’s regional landscape.
The competition features a unique format where athletes compete directly in distinct individual categories to claim ultimate bragging rights. Fan-favorite events like the Shooting Challenge force players to hit specific targets under a ticking 60-second clock, testing their composure under pressure. Meanwhile, the Passing Challenge and the highly anticipated Goalie Wars push domestic and international stars to execute rapid-fire techniques that rarely happen during a standard 90-minute match.
This year’s roster brought an impressive mix of domestic talent and international heavyweights to the American stage. US Men’s National Team anchor Tim Ream shared the spotlight with high-profile global figures like Thomas Müller and Son Heung-min, who joined the festivities alongside special celebrity guests. The inclusion of rising standouts from the MLS NEXT Pro system also gave fans a glimpse into the future of North American soccer during the precision events.
Everything culminated in the Grand Finale Relay, a high-speed, multi-skill obstacle course that seamlessly combines all disciplines into one chaotic race. This ultimate showdown crowns the overall victor, settling the immediate score between the MLS and Liga MX delegations. The fast-paced finish not only determines the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge winners but also sets a fiercely competitive tone for the traditional All-Star Game that follows.
| Challenge | Winner |
|---|---|
| All-Star Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T | Thomas Müller (MLS - Vancouver Whitecaps FC) |
| All-Star Passing Challenge presented by Dawn | Tim Ream (MLS - Charlotte FC) |
| All-Star Goalie Wars presented by Old Spice | Maxime Crépeau (MLS - Orlando City) |
| All-Star Crossbar Challenge presented by Gillette | Javier Ruiz (LIGA MX - Club Necaxa) |
| MLS vs. LIGA MX Relay Challenge presented by AT&T | LIGA MX |
