BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Chicago Fire center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi is out for the rest of the 2026 MLS season, according to Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. The South African center back suffered a torn thigh in training last month; he has not been added to the Season-Ending Injury list, but remains on the rolling six-game injured list.
"Mbo being out for the year is a tough one," Berhalter told Apple TV prior to Thursday's Leagues Cup encounter with Necaxa. "It's really about the next person stepping up and being a team that's hard to score on. Closing the spaces, being compact. We're working on that now, and I think today you're going to see that."
Mbokazi, who starred for Bafana Bafana at the World Cup this summer, had been one of the breakout stars of this MLS season so far. Since signing a blockbuster U-22 Initiative deal in November, Mbokazi started 12 matches in the league and was named an MLS All-Star before he was forced to withdraw from the All-Star game due to injury.
The injury is worse than first feared; Berhalter had originally hoped Mbokazi would be able to return to play at the end of this season, setting a provisional timeline of about two-and-a-half months following the July 25th loss to New York City FC. However, he is now confirmed to be out for the rest of the season.
Mbokazi's absence for the remainder of 2026 opens the door to potential minutes for the Fire's other center backs, with the duo of Jack Elliott and Joel Waterman now likely to be the go-to pairing going forward. 18-year-old top prospect Christopher Cupps, who returned Wednesday from the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, has a realistic pathway to more first team involvement, while Sam Rogers, who started Thursday against Necaxa, is another slightly more experienced option.
As he has not been added to the Season-Ending Injury list, the Fire do not regain a U-22 slot. However, Mbokazi's international slot and senior roster slot have been freed up for now. The MLS summer transfer window remains open until September 2nd.
