USMNT World Cup Stars, Messi, Muller Lead 2026 MLS All-Stars: Full Roster

Fresh off sending 45 players to the 2026 World Cup, MLS will send its stars to another showcase this summer, naming 29 players to the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, where the MLS crew will take on the Liga MX All-Stars on July 29.

This year’s roster includes 13 players named to World Cup squads, including 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 midfielder Sebastian Berhalter of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Argentina and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were also named to the squad, with questions already rising regarding the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s availability for the All-Star festivities after skipping out in 2025.

There are also two Canadian World Cup players, including fullback Richie Laryea of Toronto FC and starting goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau of Orlando City, who offered standout World Cup moments but has struggled in MLS.

Of the 29 picks, only nine are American, with the likes of South Korea superstar Son Heung-min of South Korea and Germany legend Thomas Müller bolstering a multinational roster. Eleven players were voted into the team by fans. At the same time, MLS All-Star and Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith selected 12, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber also added two commissioner’s picks.

The MLS vs. Liga MX structure will continue in 2026 for the fifth time in the last six seasons, featuring the latest edition of the MLS All-Star format, which previously included a match between the Eastern and Western Conferences, as well as a matchup against a highly touted European team in past eras.

In 2025, MLS topped Liga MX 3–1, following a 4–1 loss in 2024. In addition to the game, select players will also participate in the MLS Skills Challenge on July 28.

Will Lionel Messi Play?

This year marks the third time MLS has named Lionel Messi to the All-Star Game roster, but the now-39-year-old has yet to play in the match. Last season, neither he nor teammate Jordi Alba were present, despite being voted in by fans and in 2024, he missed due to an ankle injury.

This year, he and De Paul will be coming off a significant run with La Albiceleste at the 2026 World Cup, which could call their standing into question. At the same time, the 29-player roster is a three-player increase over 2025’s squad, seemingly built to allow several players to skip.

If he or any other players opt to pass on the MLS All-Star Game, MLS will levy an automatic one-game suspension, which, for Messi, would potentially keep him out of Inter Miami’s Aug. 1 clash with the Columbus Crew, their first outing after the All-Star Game.