In case you were wondering if MLS will lean into the 2026 World Cup being in the league's two nations for its All-Star Game, Wednesday's roster announcement provided a resounding yes.
The 29-player roster — partially set by voting from fans, players, and media announced June 4 — features 13 players who featured on 2026 World Cup rosters and an additional player who featured on a previous notable World Cup roster — Thomas Müller, an essential member of the 2014 champions from Germany who very nearly won the Golden Boot.
MLS' press release on the team included an ominous line to indicate the league's thumb on the scale: "The 15 coach selections were a collaborative effort by MLS All-Star head coach Dean Smith and Major League Soccer."
As you likely expected, no Austin FC players made the roster, after the year in which Verde hosted and ended up with three total players, though one (Brandon Vázquez) was unable to play due to injury, and one (Guilherme Biro) was selected very late but got minutes, as did the more normally-chosen Brad Stuver.
The World Cup influence is most pronounced at the goalkeeper position, where Canada's Maxime Crépeau – who has let in 38 goals in 14 matches for Orlando City so far this season, making 62.4% of his save opportunities — was awarded a spot. (Stuver, by contrast, has made 71.8% of his save opportunities and leads the league in saves.)
Matt Freese of NYCFC and the USMNT also got a roster spot, announced two days after his muffed clearance proved pivotal in the U.S.' 4-1 loss to Belgium, knocking the co-hosts out of the World Cup.
Charlotte has three players representing: Defender Tim Ream (who captained the U.S. team), midfielder Pep Biel (instrumental in Charlotte's March 7 win over Verde), and midfielder Ashley Westwood.
Here's the full roster:
Goalkeepers
- Maxime Crépeau, Orlando City (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, Canada
- Matt Freese, New York City FC (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, U.S.
- Brian Schwake, Nashville SC (Voted in)
Defenders
- Max Arfsten, Columbus Crew (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, U.S.
- Lucas Herrington - Colorado Rapids (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, Australia
- Richie Laryea - Toronto FC | Commissioner's Pick / 2026 WC, Canada
- Anthony Markanich - Minnesota United FC (Voted in)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi - Chicago Fire FC (Voted in) / 2026 WC, South Africa
- Steven Moreira - Columbus Crew (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, Cabo Verde
- Daniel Munie - San Jose Earthquakes (Coach's selection)
- Andy Najar - Nashville SC (Voted in)
- Jackson Ragen - Seattle Sounders FC (Coach's selection)
- Tim Ream - Charlotte FC (Voted in) / 2026 WC, U.S.
Midfielders
- Sebastian Berhalter - Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Voted in) / 2026 WC, U.S.
- Pep Biel - Charlotte FC (Coach's selection)
- Rodrigo De Paul - Inter Miami CF (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, Argentina
- Evander - FC Cincinnati (Coach's selection)
- Carles Gil - New England Revolution (Coach's selection)
- Zavier Gozo - Real Salt Lake (Voted in)
- Hany Mukhtar - Nashville SC (Voted in)
- Thomas Müller - Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Coach's selection)
- Ashley Westwood - Charlotte FC (Coach's selection)
Forwards
- Hugo Cuypers - Chicago Fire FC (Voted in)
- Anders Dreyer - San Diego FC (Coach's selection)
- Julian Hall - Red Bull New York | Commissioner's Pick
- Son Heung-Min - LAFC | Voted In / 2026 WC, South Korea
- Lionel Messi - Inter Miami CF (Voted in) / 2026 WC, Argentina
- Petar Musa - FC Dallas (Coach's selection) / 2026 WC, Croatia
- Sam Surridge - Nashville SC (Coach's selection)
The All-Star Game will take place Wednesday, July 29.
In case you were wondering if MLS will lean into the 2026 World Cup being in the league's two nations for its All-Star Game, Wednesday's roster announcement provided a resounding yes.
The 29-player roster — partially set by voting from fans, players, and media announced June 4 — features 13 players who featured on 2026 World Cup rosters and an additional player who featured on a previous notable World Cup roster — Thomas Müller, an essential member of the 2014 champions from Germany who very nearly won the Golden Boot.
MLS' press release on the team included an ominous line to indicate the league's thumb on the scale: "The 15 coach selections were a collaborative effort by MLS All-Star head coach Dean Smith and Major League Soccer."
As you likely expected, no Austin FC players made the roster, after the year in which Verde hosted and ended up with three total players, though one (Brandon Vázquez) was unable to play due to injury, and one (Guilherme Biro) was selected very late but got minutes, as did the more normally-chosen Brad Stuver.
The World Cup influence is most pronounced at the goalkeeper position, where Canada's Maxime Crépeau – who has let in 38 goals in 14 matches for Orlando City so far this season, making 62.4% of his save opportunities — was awarded a spot. (Stuver, by contrast, has made 71.8% of his save opportunities and leads the league in saves.)
Matt Freese of NYCFC and the USMNT also got a roster spot, announced two days after his muffed clearance proved pivotal in the U.S.' 4-1 loss to Belgium, knocking the co-hosts out of the World Cup.
Charlotte has three players representing: Defender Tim Ream (who captained the U.S. team), midfielder Pep Biel (instrumental in Charlotte's March 7 win over Verde), and midfielder Ashley Westwood.
Here's the full roster:
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
The All-Star Game will take place Wednesday, July 29.
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