The showcase match featuring Major League Soccer's All-Stars against Liga MX's All-Stars is set for Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. This event continues the tradition of pitting the two North American leagues against each other, rather than hosting an exhibition within a single league.
The match comes during a busy MLS calendar, which experienced a pause from late May to mid-July for the World Cup held across North America. The league resumed on July 16, introducing a series of rivalry matches.
Charlotte FC's head coach Dean Smith has curated the MLS roster on his home turf. The 29-player lineup was formed through a combination of fan votes, Smith's own selections, and two picks made by MLS commissioner Don Garber.
Highlighting the roster are two prominent signings: Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller, along with notable players such as Richie Laryea from Toronto FC. The Vancouver Whitecaps contributed three players to the squad.
In the lead-up to the match, the roster underwent changes, with players like Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul excused for rest, while Hugo Cuypers and Mbekezeli Mbokazi were also replaced for various reasons.
Liga MX has assembled a team of 24 players, including four from Toluca, who recently claimed victory in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cruz Azul has the highest representation with five players, while CF Pachuca also has four.
The match serves as the highlight of a week-long series of events in Charlotte, which includes a fan festival and other related activities. The competitive nature of the exhibition reflects the close relationship between the two leagues, as players frequently transfer between them, and clubs face off in continental competitions.