Around 35,000 fans are expected to attend this exciting event, which will be missing several notable stars. Global icon Lionel Messi will not play, as he is being rested following his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Charlotte will play host to this highly anticipated event, with the renowned Bank of America Stadium serving as the venue. Fans can look forward to an action-packed showcase featuring some of the finest talent and skill from both MLS and Liga MX.

Where is Antonio Mohamed coaching now?

Antonio Mohamed currently serves as the head coach of Deportivo Toluca FC in Liga MX. Throughout his managerial career, Mohamed has established himself as one of the most decorated managers in Mexican soccer, winning multiple Liga MX titles across different teams—including Club Tijuana (Apertura 2012), Club America (Apertura 2014), Monterrey (Apertura 2019), and Toluca.

Beyond his domestic success in Mexico, which also includes two Copa MX trophies and a CONCACAF Champions Cup victory with Toluca, Mohamed guided Argentina’s Independiente to the Copa Sudamericana title in 2010 and lifted both the Supercopa do Brasil and Campeonato Mineiro during his stint with Atletico Mineiro in 2022.

Dean Smith’s international journey

Dean Smith currently serves as the head coach of Charlotte FC in MLS. His signature managerial achievement came with Aston Villa, where he took charge in 2018 and successfully guided his boyhood club back to the Premier League via the EFL Championship play-offs in 2019, followed by taking them to the 2020 EFL Cup Final.

Over his extended coaching career across English soccer—which includes successful spells at Walsall, Brentford, Norwich City, and Leicester City—Smith earned a reputation for building attractive, attack-minded sides and developing high-profile talent, notably managing Jack Grealish during Villa’s resurgence.

Before becoming a manager, he enjoyed a lengthy playing career as a striker, representing clubs such as Huracan, Boca Juniors, Independiente, Toros Neza, Monterrey and Atlante, while also earning caps with the Argentina national team.

Beyond his tactical achievements, he is respected for his resilience and leadership. Over more than two decades as a coach, he has consistently rebuilt teams into title contenders, earning admiration throughout North American soccer.

How old is Antonio Mohamed?

Antonio Mohamed is 56 years old. The Liga MX All-Stars head coach was born on April 2, 1970, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has spent more than three decades in professional soccer as both a player and a manager.

He began his professional career with Huracan before representing clubs in Argentina and Mexico, including Boca Juniors, Independiente, Toros Neza, Monterrey and Atlante. He also earned four caps with the Argentina national team and was part of the squad that won the 1991 Copa America.

After retiring in 2003, he immediately transitioned into coaching. Since then, he has managed clubs in Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and Spain, winning multiple domestic league titles and the 2010 Copa Sudamericana with Independiente.

How tall is Antonio Mohamed?

Antonio Mohamed is 1.79 meters (5 feet 10½ inches) tall. During his playing career, the Argentine operated primarily as a striker, using his strength and positioning rather than relying solely on pace.

He spent most of his playing days in Argentina and Mexico, scoring more than 120 career goals before retiring in 2003. Although he is now better known for his accomplishments as a coach, his successful playing career helped shape his tactical approach.

His height and physical style suited Mexican soccer well, where he became a fan favorite with Toros Neza and later represented clubs such as Monterrey and Atlante before beginning his coaching career.

What is Antonio Mohamed’s ethnicity?

Antonio Mohamed is of Lebanese, Syrian, Croatian and Chilean descent. Although he was born in Argentina, his family roots reflect the country’s diverse immigrant history, particularly the large Arab communities that settled there during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

According to biographical information, his paternal grandfather was Lebanese-Syrian, while his paternal grandmother was Argentine. On his mother’s side, his grandfather was Croatian and his grandmother was Chilean.

Although he is Argentine by birth and later became a naturalized Mexican citizen, he has remained closely connected to both countries through his playing and coaching career, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in Liga MX.

Why is Antonio Mohamed called “Turco”?

Antonio Mohamed is called “Turco” because of his family’s Arab ancestry, not because he is Turkish. In Argentina and several other Latin American countries, people of Middle Eastern descent have traditionally been nicknamed “Turco”.

The nickname has followed him throughout his entire career, first as a player and later as a coach. Today, fans, players and the media almost universally refer to him as “El Turco” Mohamed, making it one of the most recognizable nicknames.

Antonio Mohamed’s family: Is he married?

Yes, Antonio Mohamed is married. He has been married to Patricia since 1994, and together they have built a close-knit family that has remained by his side throughout his coaching journey.

They have four children. One of them, Shayr Mohamed, briefly played professional soccer before joining his father’s coaching staff as an assistant. Their father-son partnership has continued at several clubs, including Monterrey and Toluca.

His family has also endured profound tragedy. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Mohamed’s nine-year-old son Farid died in a car accident that also left the coach with severe injuries.

Years later, after guiding Monterrey to the Liga MX title in 2019, he dedicated the championship to his late son, fulfilling a promise he had made following the accident.

What teams has Antonio Mohamed coached?

Antonio Mohamed has coached clubs in Argentina, Mexico, Spain and Brazil, building one of the most successful managerial careers in Latin American soccer. Since beginning his coaching career in 2003, he has managed:

• Zacatepec
• Monarcas Morelia
• Queretaro
• Chiapas
• Huracan
• Independiente
• Veracruz
• Club Tijuana
• Club America
• Monterrey (two spells)
• Celta Vigo
• Atletico Mineiro
• Pumas UNAM
• Toluca

He first gained recognition by guiding Huracan back to Argentina’s top division before moving to Independiente, where he captured the 2010 Copa Sudamericana, the club’s first international trophy in 15 years.

That triumph established him as one of South America’s brightest young coaches. His greatest achievements have come in Mexico. He transformed Club Tijuana into Liga MX champions in 2012.

Which Liga MX teams has Antonio Mohamed managed?

He has managed eight Liga MX clubs: Monarcas Morelia, Queretaro, Jaguares de Chiapas, Veracruz, Club Tijuana, Club America, Monterrey, Pumas UNAM and Toluca. No other country has defined his coaching career more than Mexico.

His breakthrough came with Club Tijuana, leading the Xolos to their first-ever Liga MX title in the Apertura 2012. Two years later, he repeated the achievement with Club America, immediately delivering another league championship.

His most successful long-term project before Toluca came at Monterrey, where he coached in two different spells. Under his leadership, Rayados lifted the Apertura 2019, Copa MX Apertura 2017 and Copa MX 2019-20.

Following shorter stays with Pumas UNAM, he joined Toluca ahead of the 2025 season. The appointment immediately paid off, as the club returned to title-winning form under his leadership, further strengthening his legacy.

How many trophies has Antonio Mohamed won as a coach?

Antonio Mohamed has won 12 major trophies as a head coach. His silverware includes titles in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, making him one of the most decorated Argentine managers of his generation.

His first major title came in 2010, when he guided Independiente to the Copa Sudamericana. He then became one of the few coaches to win Liga MX championships with multiple clubs, lifting league trophies with Club Tijuana (2012), Club América (2014), Monterrey (2019) and Toluca (2025).

The manager also collected domestic cup success with Monterrey before moving to Atletico Mineiro, where he won both the Campeonato Mineiro and the Supercopa do Brasil in 2022.

After arriving at Toluca, he added several more trophies, including the Liga MX Clausura, Liga MX Apertura, Campeon de Campeones and Campeones Cup, before leading the club to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup title.

Antonio Mohamed’s career highlights

• Made his professional debut with Huracan (1987): Mohamed began his playing career with his boyhood club and helped Huracan earn promotion to Argentina’s top division in the 1989-90 season, scoring the decisive goal in the promotion-clinching match.

• Won the 1991 Copa America with Argentina: Although he made only four appearances for the senior national team, Mohamed was part of Argentina’s Copa America-winning squad under Alfio Basile.

• Captured the 2010 Copa Sudamericana with Independiente: He guided the Argentine giants to their first international trophy in 15 years, cementing his reputation as one of South America’s top young coaches.

• Led Club Tijuana to its first Liga MX title (Apertura 2012): Mohamed delivered the Xolos’ first league championship only five years after the club reached Mexico’s top flight.

• Won Liga MX with Club America (Apertura 2014): In his first tournament with America, he captured the league title, adding another championship with one of Mexico’s biggest clubs.

• Revived Monterrey and won multiple trophies: During two spells with Rayados, Mohamed lifted the Liga MX Apertura 2019, Copa MX Apertura 2017, and Copa MX 2019-20, while also leading the club to the FIFA Club World Cup.

• Won titles in Brazil with Atletico Mineiro (2022): His success continued outside Mexico as Atletico Mineiro claimed the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Mineiro under his leadership.

• Made Liga MX history with Toluca: After taking charge in late 2024, Mohamed transformed Toluca into champions again, winning multiple trophies, including Liga MX titles, and becoming the first coach to win Liga MX championships with four different clubs in the short-tournament era.

• Reached 12 major trophies as a head coach: Thanks to his success in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, Mohamed has established himself as one of the most decorated Argentine managers of his generation.

• Named Liga MX All-Stars head coach for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game: Following a historic run with Toluca, including five trophies in 12 months, Mohamed was selected to lead the Liga MX All-Stars in their matchup against MLS’ best players. The appointment recognized both his recent dominance and his status as one of the league’s most accomplished managers.

Furthermore, looking into next season, Pumas UNAM will have severe problems in the famous quotient table. Though currently there is no relegation in Liga MX, the club might have to pay a millionaire penalty fee if the results don’t improve during the next months.

Now, in order to revert the situation, Pumas UNAM are finally ready to make a big splash in Liga MX. During the last years, the board of directors chose low-profile coaches to save money. It’s true that Andres Lillini made a good job, but he had no championships to show for. On the other hand, Rafael Puente was a complete failure. It’s time for a major change.

Antonio Mohamed will be the new coach of Pumas UNAM

Antonio Mohamed has accepted an offer to become the new coach of Pumas UNAM. He’s been one of the best strategists in Liga MX leading three different clubs to a championship: Tijuana, Club America and Monterrey. That feat is just amazing.

Mohamed is 52-years old and his breakthrough performance as a coach came in 2007 with Huracan in Argentina. He led them to the title in Primera B Nacional and got the long-awaited promotion to First Division for the club. After that, Mohamed won the 2010 Copa Sudamericana with Independiente.

Then, Antonio Mohamed received an opportunity with Tijuana and the rest is history in Mexico. He even was a big candidate to take over the National Team, but Diego Cocca won the race. Now, Pumas UNAM could be a major chance to revamp a historic club in Liga MX.

Of course, Antonio Mohamed is a long-term project. However, if he wants to make a final run to rescue Clausura 2023, the calendar is brutal: Queretaro, Atletico San Luis, Toluca, Club America and Monterrey. Pumas UNAM will need at least 10 out of 15points to have a real shot at the finals.