HARRISON, N.J. — Mbekezeli Mbokazi could still return for the Chicago Fire in 2026, Gregg Berhalter told media on Saturday. The South African center back suffered a major thigh injury last month, and the Fire had originally feared he could miss the rest of the season.
“I think the information I gave that he’s definitely out for the season was premature,” Berhalter said following the Fire’s 1-1 draw at the New York Red Bulls. “He’s in a rehab program now and he’s progressing. There’s no exact timeframe for when he’s going to be back, but there is a possibility it is before the end of the season.”
The news that Mbokazi, who is still only 20, could return before the end of the year will be music to Fire fans’ ears. The left-footed, ball-playing defender was a game-changer when he arrived in Chicago at the beginning of this season, and was a key pillar behind the success of Berhalter’s team in the first half of the season. That strong form resulted in a selection to the MLS All-Star team, though this injury kept him out of the showcase fixture in July.
Mbokazi's thigh tear occurred the day before the Fire faced Inter Miami on July 22nd. At the time, it was thought that the injury would keep him out for the rest of the year. The defender had also starred at the World Cup for Bafana Bafana, helping them progress past the group stage for the first time ever, and walking away from the tournament as one of the young breakout stars.
The Fire currently have four other center backs on the roster – Jack Elliott, Joel Waterman, Sam Rogers, and Christopher Cupps. Elliott and Waterman have been the go-to pairing, though the former was rested against the Red Bulls for Rogers, with an all-important clash with C.F. Monterrey coming up this Tuesday. Berhalter also previously hinted that the Fire could be in the market for a center back this month due to Mbokazi’s injury.
The hope now would be that Mbokazi could get back on the field during the MLS Cup Playoffs as the Fire chase their first league title since 1998 – something seemingly well within the realm of possibility for the first time in many years.
