The final international break before this summer's World Cup is upon us, and the Chicago Fire are better represented across the globe than ever before. A host of players across the first team and second team were selected for various national teams, and several are in contention to represent their nations at the world's biggest party this summer.
Here are the Fire players involved at the international level this March.
United States – Chris Brady
The U.S. Men's National Team has far fewer Major League Soccer players than it once did, with just five outfielders plying their trade domestically. However, all four goalkeepers named to this roster – Matt Freese, Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte, and the Fire's Chris Brady – are currently in MLS.
Brady, a Chicago homegrown who has been involved in numerous USMNT camps, including the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, is in a great position to make the World Cup roster. He's firmly in the battle to be the #3 goalkeeper at the tournament, with Roman Celentano (currently injured) likely his main competitor. The U.S. will face Belgium (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT) and Portugal (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. CT) in Atlanta, but Brady is extremely unlikely to feature.
South Africa – Mbekezeli Mbokazi
The player most certain to be on the field come World Cup time is Mbokazi, who is expected to start for South Africa when the tournament kicks off. The 20-year-old left center back joined the Fire in December in a highly-publicized move and has had a solid start to life in Major League Soccer.
Bafana Bafana's World Cup preparations continue on Friday, when they face Panamá in the first of a pair of international friendlies (Friday, 12:00 p.m. CT and Thursday, 12:30 p.m. CT). The Canaleros qualified by the skin of their teeth, owing their second-ever qualification to a huge stroke of fortune in November, and are one of the weakest teams in the competition. Nonetheless, it's a good opportunity for South Africa to test itself against World Cup competition from outside Africa.
Canada – Joel Waterman
Both starting center backs from Saturday's 2-1 win in Philadelphia are now off on international duty. Waterman, who played all 90 minutes against the Union, has joined up with Canada as usual. He is a lock to make the squad, but is highly unlikely to be a starter in the World Cup if everyone is healthy.
Canada were also unable to schedule high-level friendlies during the international break as they prepare for their first-ever World Cup matches on Canadian soil in June. They'll face Iceland (Saturday, 12:00 p.m. CT) and Tunisia (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. CT) in Toronto.
Serbia Under-21s – Viktor Radojević
On Saturday, Radojević returned to the pitch for his first full 45 minutes of MLS action. He performed very well, justifying his call-up to the Serbia U-21s that he earned earlier in the week.
Though Serbia's friendly plans were disrupted by the U.S./Israel-Iran conflict, they were able to arrange an exhibition against Kyrgyzstan (Thursday, 7:00 a.m. CT) in Antalya, Turkey.
Portugal Under-21s – Leo Barroso
The Fire's hyper-talented U-22 Initiative right back, Barroso, seems to be slipping under the radar a little bit. He's back with the Portugal Under-21s this month, linking back up with one of the world's elite youth national teams for the U-21 EURO qualifiers.
While the Portuguese senior team is on North American soil this week and will play the U.S. on Tuesday, the U-21s are back home. They're currently in Baku to face Azerbaijan (Friday, 6:00 a.m. CT), and return home for a game against Scotland (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. CT) in Estoril.
United States Under-20s – Dylan Borso
After an unexpected start to his MLS career earlier this month, making a strong debut at right wingback against the Columbus Crew, the younger Borso is back with the U.S. U-20s. As he was born in 2006, his involvement with this group is as part of a wide pool with an eye toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (and potentially the 2027 Pan-American Games in Lima).
This U-20 camp under coach Rob Valentino will see the U.S. face Argentina (Friday, 9 a.m. CT) and C.A. Independiente (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. CT).
United States Under-19s – Christopher Cupps
Cupps is back with the U.S. youth teams after captaining the U-17s at their World Cup last year. The Fire's star center back prospect is someone with USMNT aspirations in the future, and is a part of the U-19s with an eye toward the upcoming U-20 cycle (for players born in 2007 and 2008).
If given the opportunity, Cupps could be a star at the U-20 level for this team, so involvement with this U-19 group is a positive sign. The U.S. are also in Portugal for this camp, facing Iceland (Thursday, 6:00 a.m. CT), Morocco (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. CT), and Portugal (Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. CT). Berhalter hopes Cupps comes back healthy, as the last time he went to U.S. youth friendlies, he suffered a leg fracture and missed almost three months.
Ukraine Under-19s – Vitaliy Hlyut
Chicago Fire II's Hlyut received his second-ever call-up to the Ukrainian youth teams this month. The 17-year-old winger was born in Ukraine but moved to the U.S. at a young age, and is eligible for both countries. Because of his involvement in these U-19 EURO qualifiers, he is officially provisionally cap-tied to Ukraine and would need a one-time switch to represent the U.S..
This week, Ukraine are playing a trio of qualifying matches for the U-19 EURO. They are still to face Czechia (Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT) and Estonia (Tuesday, 5:00 a.m. CT).
United States Under-16s – Jason Nemo
Nemo is back with the U.S. at the U-16 level. The young goalkeeper is among the up-and-comers in the Fire's pipeline and is currently with the second team.
This camp will not involve any official friendly matches.
Not Called Up
Jonathan Bamba (Côte d'Ivoire) – Bamba's World Cup dream seems to be fading fast. It would be a big shock now if he makes Les Elefants' squad in May.
Djé D'Avilla (Côte d'Ivoire) – Rightly or wrongly, D'Avilla is yet to get an international call-up. Undoubtedly, his time will come eventually.
Robin Lod (Finland) – With Finland eliminated from World Cup qualification, they seem set on the younger generation. Lod is not a part of it this month.
Sergio Oregel (U.S. U-21) – Oregel's lack of minutes to start the season and U-20 World Cup omission mean he's on the outside looking in for the USYNTs.
Anton Salétros (Sweden) – Salétros was left out of Sweden's squad for the World Cup playoffs. It seems he has little hope of entering Graham Potter's plans.
Robert Turdean (U.S. U-17) – Turdean won't be a part of the U.S. 2009 or 2010 groups this time around. This could be for any number of reasons.
Worthwhile Mentions
Chase Adams (U.S. U-18) – The Chicagoland native is back with the U.S. after a disappointing U-17 World Cup. He is a homegrown player in Columbus.
Esmir Bajraktarević (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – The former New England Revolution and Fire academy midfielder is part of Bosnia's playoff squad.
Dempsey Biller/Harrison Storley (U.S. U-15) – Call-ups to the U.S. boys' youth national team for two Fire academy players.
Bajung Darboe (U.S. U-20) – The former Fire academy player was called up to the same U.S. youth group as Borso. He is currently at FC Bayern München.
Brian Gutiérrez (México) – The former Fire homegrown earned his first call-up to the main Mexican team and seems well-positioned to make their World Cup squad.
Georgios Koutsias (Greece U-21) – The Lugano striker, who joined permanently from the Fire in December, is back with the Greek youth teams.
Finn McCraney (U.S. U-16) – McCraney will join Nemo at the U-16 camp in Florida after featuring at the CONCACAF U-15 Championship last year.
Matija Mitrović (Serbia U-21) – The current Vitória de Guimarães and former Fire academy midfielder will feature alongside Radojević for Serbia U-21s.
Alex Monis (The Philippines) – The U.S.-born winger returns to the Philippine team for an Asian Cup qualifier against Tajikistan.
Gaga Slonina (U.S. U-21) – Chelsea #4 keeper and a former Fire homegrown, Slonina has uncertainty in his club future but still makes this U.S. camp.
Gio Villa (U.S. U-18) – The former Fire academy fullback returns for another U.S. camp. He started for the U.S. at the U-17 World Cup.
