Defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi Named to 2026 22 Under 22 Class

Mbokazi ranked in the Top 5 during his first season in Major League Soccer

CHICAGO (Oct. 20, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was named to the 2026 22 Under 22 class in his first year in Major League Soccer. Mbokazi was ranked No. 4, marking the fifth time a Fire player has been named within the Top 5 of the prestigious list.

The 2026 22 Under 22 class highlights the next generation of MLS talent, with 16 clubs represented and an average player age of approximately 20 years old.

The group boasts significant international experience, with 12 players earning senior national team call-ups for a combined 39 international appearances. Mbokazi leads the class with 15 senior caps, including four appearances at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Justin Ellis, Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield all debuted for the United States during the latest international window, while Manu Duah, Ronald Donkor, and Bruno Caicedo have also earned senior national team call-ups for Ghana and Ecuador, respectively.

In his first season with the Fire, Mbokazi, 21, has made 19 appearances (17 starts) for the Fire in 2026 across all competitions. Mbokazi missed several matches following FIFA World Cup 2026 with an injury, returning to the field with an 80-minute performance in the 1-0 victory against Charlotte FC on Saturday, Sept. 26. He followed that performance with four 90-minute matches.

Chicago clinched back-to-back postseason berths for the first time since 2009, when the Men in Red made the last of three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. The Men in Red's appearance in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs will be the 15th in Club history.

Chicago remains on the road for a second consecutive match, heading south to face Atlanta United on Saturday, Oct. 24. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast globally on Apple TV, and transmitted locally on wlsam.com in English and TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2 and Uforia by TREBEL app in Spanish.