MLS on Wednesday unveiled its full roster for the upcoming All-Star Game on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, a group that features 13 players named to 2026 World Cup rosters. The MLS players will compete against a team of All-Stars from Mexico’s Liga MX for the fifth time in six editions.
While the press release issued by MLS includes Inter Miami F Lionel Messi and LAFC F Son Heung-Min among the 29-man roster, the league avoided making either a focal point of the announcement. That may indicate MLS is taking a more cautious approach following last year’s backlash over Messi’s heavily marketed All-Star appearance, which he ultimately missed.
Both Messi and Son played in the World Cup, with Messi still competing for Argentina and Son having appeared during the group stage for South Korea.
The announcement instead spotlights NYCFC GK Matt Freese and Charlotte FC D Tim Ream, both of whom competed in the World Cup for the USMNT, along with FC Dallas F Petar Musa (Croatia), Toronto FC D Richie Laryea (Canada), FC Cincinnati MF Evander, Whitecaps MF Thomas Müller and Nashville SC F Sam Surridge.
The absence of the two global stars from the league’s promotional framing is particularly notable following last year’s All-Star Game in Austin, when Messi and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba declined to participate due to a heavy workload. Their absence created backlash given Messi’s prominence in the marketing for the match, and MLS ultimately suspended Messi and Alba for one regular-season game in accordance with a long-standing rule.
MLS did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether the All-Star participation rule remains in effect or whether an exception would be granted to players, such as Messi, whose national teams compete deep into the World Cup. The All-Star Game is scheduled just 10 days after the World Cup Final.
While MLS has held its All-Star Game in late July for the past several seasons, the league has positioned the scheduling of this year’s game immediately after the World Cup as a deliberate effort to capitalize on the attention being paid to soccer. That effort also includes resuming its regular season July 16-17 -- the days between the World Cup semifinals and final -- and moving directly into Leagues Cup following the All-Star Game. MLS also teased a new marketing campaign on social media Wednesday that is expected to launch around the semifinals next week.
In addition to announcing the roster, MLS revealed the uniforms its team will wear at the All-Star Game. The blue-and-green kit, which pays homage to the league’s original colors, is the first to feature new All-Star Game presenting sponsor Chime on the front.
