Major League Soccer revealed its First XI for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game this summer.
Lionel Messi, Son Heung-Min, and Hany Mukhtar headlined the first names announced for the summer classic against the Liga MX All-Stars on July 29. Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium will host the contest, which will feature the best talents from MLS and Liga MX.
Five of the First XI selected will be part of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup; Messi, Son, Berhalter, Ream, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi. In addition, six of the First XI players have been named to their first-ever All-Star Game.
Real Salt Lake standout Zavier Gozo is the second teenager to be named to the MLS All-Star Game in the last five editions. Gozo’s six goals for RSL this season are tied for the club’s top spot while his five assists are good for second-most.
Cuypers’ 13 goals have him top of the MLS Golden Boot race while Messi sits second with 12 tallies of his own.
Son’s nine assists are tied with San Diego FC’s Andres Dreyer for the most in MLS play so far this season. Berhalter’s seven assists have him sitting in the Top-10 among outfield players.
Brian Schwake has been named as the lone goalkeeper so far as he’s helped Nashville SC to a top spot in the Supporters’ Shield race. Schwake’s six clean sheets are tied for the second-most in MLS while defender Andy Najar has contributed to Nashville SC delivering the fewest goals allowed so far.
The First XI was selected through a combined vote of MLS fans, players and media members.
Here is a breakdown of the First XI:
GOALKEEPER: Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
LEFT BACK: Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC)
CENTER BACKS: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
RIGHT BACK: Andy Najar (Nashville SC)
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS: Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
FORWARDS: Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire FC), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Leo Messi (Inter Miami CF)