Chicago Fire FC and the South Africa Football Federation announced on May 27 that defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been selected for the South Africa Men’s National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Mbokazi becomes the sixth active Chicago Fire player to make a World Cup roster, joining Jorge Campos (1998), Josh Wolff and DaMarcus Beasley (2002), Xherdan Shaqiri (2022), and Chris Brady. This is his first appearance on a World Cup roster and marks the first time an active Fire player has been named to represent South Africa at a World Cup. He is also the first active Chicago Fire defender to receive this honor.
South Africa was drawn into Group A alongside hosts Mexico, Korea Republic, and Czechia. Hugo Broos’ squad will open the tournament against Mexico at 2 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 11. The team will then face Czechia at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on June 18 before concluding group play against Korea Republic at Monterrey Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico on June 24.
Mbokazi joined Chicago Fire FC in December 2025 and has started all twelve regular season matches he has played so far in 2026, accumulating 1,050 minutes across all competitions, including participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He has earned ten caps with South Africa’s national team since making his senior debut in May 2025 during a win over Mozambique. Mbokazi scored his first international goal during a match against Panama earlier this year.
The detailed national team roster includes three goalkeepers from Orlando Pirates FC, Siwelele FC, and Mamelodi Sundowns FC; eleven defenders including Olwethu Makhanya of Philadelphia Union; four midfielders; and eight forwards representing clubs from South Africa as well as teams abroad.
Chicago Fire FC competes professionally in Major League Soccer conferences with its home matches hosted at Soldier Field stadium while supporting youth development programs and community initiatives throughout the Midwest, according to the official website.
