Mbekezeli Mbokazi ranked fourth among MLS’ best under-22 players

Bafana Bafana and Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been named the fourth-best under-22 player in Major League Soccer (MLS).

The South African centre-back, known as “TLB”, was selected by a panel comprising MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS on Apple TV talent and selected media representatives.

Mbokazi features in a list of 22 players aged under 22, with the ranking recognising the leading young performers in the competition.

“South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi leads the class with 15 senior caps, including four appearances at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” MLS said in its announcement.

Mbokazi has made 19 appearances for Chicago Fire during his first season with the club, starting 17 of those matches across all competitions in 2026, according to the club.

Philadelphia Union and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Cavan Sullivan topped the ranking. At 17 years and 22 days old, Sullivan became the youngest player to claim the number one position, overtaking the previous record held by Alphonso Davies.

Davies was 17 years and 355 days old when he was ranked first in 2018.

Mbokazi’s Chicago Fire team-mate and fellow South African Puso Dithejane was not eligible for the list because he is already 22. Dithejane was born on 24 July 2004.

MLS eligibility rules required players to be 21 or younger before Decision Day on 7 November 2026.

“To be eligible for voting, players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on November 7, 2026, and therefore must have been born after November 8, 2004,” MLS said.

The ranking places Mbokazi ahead of the majority of the league’s eligible young players after a season in which he has established himself as an important part of the Chicago Fire defence.