Mbekezeli Mbokazi ranked fourth in MLS 22 Under 22 list

Former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been named the fourth-best player in Major League Soccer’s 22 Under 22 class of 2026.

The Chicago Fire defender is the highest-ranked defender in the selection, which recognises the leading young players in MLS. The 21-year-old is also the highest-valued player in the league, according to the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES).

Major League Soccer announced its 2026 22 Under 22 list on Tuesday, with Mbokazi featuring in the top five during his first season in the competition.

“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,” Chicago Fire said in a media statement.

The club added: “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 includes players with considerable international experience. Twelve of those selected have received senior national team call-ups, making a combined 39 international appearances.

Mbokazi leads the class in senior international caps, having made 15 appearances. Four of those came at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

He has made 19 appearances for Chicago Fire across all competitions in 2026, starting 17 matches.

Mbokazi missed several games after the FIFA World Cup 2026 because of an injury. He returned on Saturday, Sept. 26, playing 80 minutes in Chicago Fire’s 1-0 win against Charlotte FC.

The defender then completed four consecutive matches in full, playing 90 minutes in each.