Mbokazi injury and Messi absence deal double blow to 2026 MLS All-Star Game

Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been ruled out of the 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte with a lower-back injury, in a major setback for South African fans who had hoped to see him share the stage with Lionel Messi.

The 20-year-old Chicago Fire FC defender had become one of the stories of this year’s event after topping the fan vote and even outpolling Messi to earn his place in the MLS All-Star squad to face the Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday, 29 July, at Bank of America Stadium.

Mbokazi’s withdrawal comes as part of a significant reshuffle to the All-Star roster, with Chicago confirming that Messi and his Inter Miami CF team-mate Rodrigo De Paul have also been removed from the squad following their involvement with Argentina at the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Americas.

Messi and De Paul replaced after World Cup

In a joint announcement on 25 July, Chicago Fire FC and Major League Soccer confirmed that Philip Zinckernagel has been added to the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime, earning the Danish forward a second successive All-Star appearance after he registered an assist in the 2025 edition.

The statement detailed a series of changes, with Zinckernagel joining Inter Miami CF midfielder Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Andres Cubas and Houston Dynamo FC forward Guilherme as late additions to replace unavailable players.

“Bright, Cubas, Guilherme and Zinckernagel will replace Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Lionel Messi,” the announcement read.

MLS underlined that the decision on Messi and De Paul was made under a pre-agreed framework between the league and the MLS Players Association regarding players returning from the World Cup.

“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that upon a player’s exit from the World Cup competition, clubs would have individual conversations with each player to determine the appropriate rest and return to training and competition timeline. Consistent with that agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game,” the statement added.

Zinckernagel to fly the flag for Chicago

With Mbokazi sidelined, Zinckernagel will now be the sole Chicago Fire FC representative in Charlotte.

The 29-year-old has been a central attacking figure for Chicago since his arrival, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in 15 starts in the 2026 MLS season, after contributing to 30 goals in 2025.

Described by his club as “an offensive force”, the forward is currently second only to goalkeeper Chris Brady for minutes played at Chicago this year, with 1,205. Before moving to MLS, Zinckernagel amassed 83 goals and 80 assists in 403 professional appearances across Denmark, Norway, England, Belgium and Greece.

Showcase event in Charlotte

The 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime will see the best of MLS take on a selection of Liga MX All-Stars at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium, kicking off at 20:00 ET on Wednesday, 29 July.

The league also confirmed that both the All-Star Game and the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T will be broadcast in more than 100 countries and regions on Apple TV. MLS matches are available via the Apple TV app on Apple and Android devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes and game consoles, as well as on DIRECTV, Xfinity and at tv.apple.com.

Full 2026 MLS All-Star roster

Goalkeepers (3): Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City SC), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)

Defenders (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)

Midfielders (10): Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami CF), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Muller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)

Forwards (7): Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo FC), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC)