MLS reveals first eleven players selected for the 2026 All-Star showcase | OneFootball

The MLS is a new soccer league worldwide, having officially launched in 1996. However, the MLS All-Star game started at the same time as the league, following the idea from the NBA and other leagues in the country.

This is an annual exhibition event organized by Major League Soccer. Held in mid-season, it brings together the best players from the United States and Canada's top soccer league to compete in a friendly match against elite international clubs or all-star teams from other leagues.

Now, the MLS has released the first 11 players participating in the 2026 All-Star Game.

MLS reveals first 11 players selected for the 2026 All-Star Game

When you read this headline, two players immediately come to mind: Lionel Messi and Heung-Min Son. Both had an outstanding first half of the regular season.

Inter Miami is in the second position on the Eastern Conference, due to Messi’s contributions, while LAFC sits fifth in the Western Conference.

We know two of the eleven names so far, but who are the other nine players set to participate in the All-Star Game?

- Brian Schwake

- Anthony Markanich

- Mbekezeli Mbokazi

- Tim Ream

- Andy Najar

- Sebastian Berhalter

- Zavier Gozo

- Hany Mukhtar

- Hugo Cuypers

- Heung-Min Son

- Leo Messi

Although he hasn’t had an important start to the season, one superstar who doesn’t appear, and it may seem odd, is Thomas Muller.

On the other hand, one footballer who had a good season but isn’t on this list is Anders Dreyer.

Still, it makes sense that major players are starting on this event, and not players who had a good first part of the regular season, but the players voted for this kind of thing are selected by the fans.

So it makes sense that major names are in the starting eleven and other ones are not.