While football fans gobble up matches between iconic clubs around the globe from the Premier League, Champions League, and other world-famous teams, those who love the beautiful game can also be swayed by nostalgia.
This is where charity matches and other events bringing together iconic players from recent past can draw from to build a significant following.
With the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be held across North America as the first of its kind to feature 48 teams, one host committee is gearing up for the 2026 summer classic in a unique manner.
AllSportsPeople details who will play in the 2026 FIFA Legends game and what is is meant to showcase.
MORE: A full breakdown of the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, bracket, fixtures, and teams
What is the FIFA Legends Game?
Organized by the Monterrey Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Legends game is a charity match that will bring together legendary former players from both locally and around the world.
The match will pit a team of legends, made up of iconic players from the beautiful game, against a team of Mexico internationals.
After the success of the 2024 FIFA Legends game held in Monterrey, there will be a reprise in January 2026 to build excitement for the coming World Cup to be held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
In addition to the 60-minute football match, there will also be a special halftime performance by Mexican DJ Mariana Bo.
When is the 2026 FIFA Legends Game?
The 2026 FIFA Legends game will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 7 p.m. Local time in Monterrey, Mexico.
The match at Estadio BBVA will kick off at the following times around the world:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Jan. 17 | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Jan. 17 | 5:00 p.m. PT |
| United Kingdom | Sun, Jan. 18 | 1:00 a.m. GMT |
| India | Sun, Jan. 18 | 6:30 a.m. IST |
| Australia | Sun, Jan. 18 | 12 p.m. AEDT |
Who is playing in the 2026 FIFA Legends Game?
A host of well-known international players, many of them just recently retired, will take part in the 2026 FIFA Legends game.
The roster of 15 players is littered with FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winners, many of them considered all-time greats.
Legends roster
| Player | Nation | Age | Primarily Played For |
| Gareth Bale | Wales | 36 | Tottenham, Real Madrid |
| Cafu | Brazil | 55 | Sao Paulo, AC Milan, AS Roma |
| Iker Casillas | Spain | 44 | Real Madrid |
| Alessandro Del Piero | Italy | 51 | Juventus |
| Didier Drogba | Ivory Coast | 47 | Chelsea |
| Rio Ferdinand | England | 47 | Man United, West Ham |
| Matt Hummels | Germany | 37 | Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich |
| Marco Materazzi | Italy | 52 | Inter Milan, Perugia |
| Pepe | Portugal | 42 | Real Madrid, Porto |
| Robert Pires | France | 52 | Arsenal, Villarreal, Metz |
| Carles Puyol | Spain | 47 | Barcelona |
| Franck Ribery | France | 42 | Bayern Munich, Fiorentina |
| Paul Scholes | England | 51 | Man United |
| Francesco Totti | Italy | 49 | AS Roma |
| Christian Vieri | Italy | 52 | Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Lazio |
National roster
10 former Mexico internationals will take part in the FIFA Legends game as the opposition side, with a collection of legendary players from the history of the Mexican domestic league and national team.
| Player | Age | Primarily Played For |
| Andres Guardado | 39 | PSV, Deportivo La Coruna, Real Betis |
| Jared Borgetti | 52 | Santos Laguna |
| Luis "El Matador" Hernandez | 57 | Necaxa, Tigres, LA Galaxy, Club America |
| Luis Roberto Alves | 58 | Club America, Necaxa |
| Miguel Layun | 37 | Club America, Porto, Monterrey, Watford, Villareal |
| Oribe Peralta | 42 | Santos Laguna, Club America, Monterrey |
| Francisco Palencia | 52 | Cruz Azul, Pumas, Chivas Guadalajara |
| Marco Fabian | 36 | Chivas Guadalajara, Eintracht Frankfurt, Philadelphia Union |
| Sinha | 49 | Toluca |
| Oscar Perez | 52 | Cruz Azul, Pachuca |
How to watch the 2026 FIFA Legends game
The 2026 FIFA Legends game will be broadcast live on FIFA+ around the world.
In the United States, the game can also be found televised on beIN Sports.