Today's the day. After a month of breathtaking FIFA World Cup soccer, this beautiful game is expected to get another boost in popularity as two professional club leagues compete in the MLS All-Star Game this week. As with the last two editions, this exhibition match will feature the best players from the MLS facing the top players from Mexico’s Liga MX.
The MLS All-Star game debuted in this format in 2021, and currently, MLS All-Stars lead the rivalry 3-1. As they face off for the fifth time, fans on both sides will be eager to see which league gets regional bragging rights. If you can’t wait to catch the action, here are all the details you need to watch the 2026 MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game live using a streaming subscription.
When Is the 2026 MLS All-Star Game?
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game vs. Liga MX will kick off today at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. There will also be a halftime performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Ciara.
Where to Watch the 2026 MLS All-Star Game
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will stream on Apple TV, which has the official broadcasting rights for the league and its events through 2033.
You don’t need a dedicated MLS pass to watch the All-Star Game. In fact, Apple dropped the pass last year and made all MLS games available via its regular subscription, which now starts at $12.99 per month.
How to Watch the 2026 MLS All-Star Game for Free
Since Apple TV is the only streamer airing this game in the US, fans have only one option to catch the action. Thankfully, though, there are a few ways you can get an Apple TV subscription for free.
The easiest option is for first-time Apple TV subscribers. The streaming service offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, allowing you to tune into the MLS All-Star Game at no extra cost.
Another free trial option is available to those who recently purchased a new Apple device and haven’t subscribed to Apple TV before. The iPhone-maker offers three months of free Apple TV to such customers, and they can redeem the offer within 90 days. The Apple One bundle also comes with a 30-day free trial to Apple TV.
Can You Watch the 2026 MLS All-Star Game With a VPN?
Technically, you can watch the MLS All-Star game with a virtual private network (VPN) if you need to access AppleTV from another country. But you won't be able to bypass the Apple TV paywall. Unlike the World Cup, which offered several free livestreams in different countries, you won't be able to use a VPN to watch the MLS All-Star game for free in the US.
Will Lionel Messi Play in the MLS All-Star Game?
Soccer legend and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will be notably absent from the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. This is the second year in a row he is missing the game; he was penalized with a one-game suspension for missing last year's, but he will be allowed to take a break this year to recover from his tiring 2026 World Cup final against Argentina.
His club and country teammate Rodrigo De Paul has also been excused for the same reason.
“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that upon a player’s exit from the World Cup competition, clubs would have individual conversations with each player to determine the appropriate rest and return to training and competition timeline. Consistent with that agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game,” MLS said in a statement.
Though Messi and De Paul will be missed, the MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game features other big names from world soccer, including 2014 World Cup winner Thomas Müller and South Korean star Son Heung-Min.
Lineups: MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars
Both teams have a mix of local and international stars, and 15 of them played in the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup; 11 of those players play in the MLS, while four play in Liga MX.
MLS Roster
Charlotte FC’s Dean Smith will manage the MLS All-Stars this year. Here's a look at the roster he can pick his 11 players from:
- Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City SC), Matt Freese (New York City FC), and Brian Schwake (Nashville SC).
- Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC), and Tim Ream (Charlotte FC).
- Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami CF), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)
- Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo FC), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), and Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC)
Keep an eye out for Petar Musa, who leads the current MLS season’s scoring with 13 goals and appeared for Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Liga MX Roster
Deportivo Toluca’s coach, Antonio Mohamed, will manage the Liga MX All-Stars, and here’s the roster he can pick his playing XI from:
- Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Carlos Moreno (CF Pachuca)
- Defenders: Omar Campos (Cruz Azul), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca FC), Jesús Garza (Tigres UANL), Bruno Méndez (Toluca FC), Federico Pereira (Toluca FC), Luis Gabriel Rey (Chivas Guadalajara), Israel Reyes (Club América), and Nathan Silva (Pumas UNAM)
- Midfielders: Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), Iker Fimbres (CF Monterrey), Fernando Gorriarán (Tigres UANL), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Elías Montiel (CF Pachuca), José Paradela (Cruz Azul), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Franco Romero (Toluca FC), and Javier Ruiz (Necaxa)
- Forwards: Kevin Castañeda (Chivas Guadalajara), Alexei Domínguez (CF Pachuca), Salomón Rondón (CF Pachuca), and Robert Morales (Pumas UNAM)
Source: PCMag.com
