MLS All-star Game Aims for Success Amid Messi's Absence

WHO:

The New York Times - Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Hugo Cuypers, Son Heung-min, Thomas Müller, Maxime Crépeau, Richie Laryea, Steven Moreira, Petar Musa, Sebastian Berhalter, Carles Gil, Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall, Jorge Mas, Salomón Rondón, Brian Rodríguez.

Yahoo Sports - Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Jorge Mas, MLS Players Association.

WHAT:

The New York Times - Owners will convene for a Board of Governors meeting around the MLS All-Star Game to discuss the future of the league.

Yahoo Sports - MLS officials confirmed that Messi will not receive a one-match suspension for missing the All-Star game, unlike the punishment imposed in 2025.

Jefferson City News Tribune - The MLS has won three of the first four meetings against Liga MX in the All-Star Game series.

Jefferson City News Tribune - The match will cap several days of festivities aimed at shifting American soccer fans' attention from the FIFA World Cup to the MLS.

The New York Times - Messi and De Paul will not participate in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

The New York Times - Hugo Cuypers was signed by CF Monterrey for a fee of $7.5 million after being named to the All-Star roster.

The New York Times - The MLS All-Star Game will feature MLS All-Stars against Liga MX All-Stars.

The New York Times - The annual Skills Challenge will take place on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The New York Times - The MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Yahoo Sports - MLS will not suspend Messi for missing the All-Star game, unlike the one-match suspension he received in 2025.

WHERE:

The New York Times - The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

WHEN:

The New York Times - The MLS All-Star Game is set for Wednesday, July 29.

Yahoo Sports - Messi was left ‘very upset’ over the punishment imposed in 2025.

WHY:

The New York Times - The absence of Messi and De Paul is due to their recovery after participating in the World Cup final.

Yahoo Sports - The MLS agreed to allow players who participated in the FIFA World Cup to take time off for recovery.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The MLS and the MLS Players Association agreed to have individual conversations with players regarding their rest and return to training after the World Cup, which is why Messi and De Paul are excused from participating in the All-Star Game.

Yahoo Sports - MLS and the MLS Players Association agreed to have individual conversations with players regarding their rest and return to training after the World Cup.

Owners of Major League Soccer will gather for a Board of Governors meeting around the MLS All-Star Game to discuss the future of the league. In a notable decision, MLS officials confirmed that Messi will not face a one-match suspension for missing the All-Star Game, a departure from the punishment he received in 2025. The match will conclude several days of festivities designed to draw American soccer fans' attention back to the MLS, following the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, and it’s worth noting that MLS has won three of the first four meetings against Liga MX in this All-Star Game series.