Chicago Fire reject European interest in South Africa defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s impressive 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with South Africa has increased interest in the defender, but Chicago Fire had no intention of selling him during the summer transfer window.

Mbokazi helped Bafana Bafana make history in the United States, Canada and Mexico as Hugo Broos’ team reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time. His performances further enhanced his reputation after a strong opening six months in Major League Soccer (MLS) following his move from Orlando Pirates.

Reports suggested that a number of major European clubs had been monitoring the centre-back after his commanding displays on the world stage. However, any attempts to take him away from Chicago Fire were never seriously considered by the MLS club.

Chicago-based journalist Alex Calabrese, the Editor-in-Chief of MenInRed97.com, said Chicago Fire were determined to retain Mbokazi, even before the injury that has currently kept him out of action.

“What I can confidently tell you, that even if there were clubs interested, The Fire had absolutely zero intent to sell this summer. Nothing was ever advanced before his injury,” Calabrese said.

“Even if there were clubs that looked at him and maybe said ‘we wanna sign this guy’, The Fire never intended to sell this summer. That was something that was not gonna happen.”

The transfer window has now closed, meaning Mbokazi will remain with Chicago Fire for the immediate future. His situation had attracted particular attention because several South African players secured moves to bigger European clubs after the World Cup.

Relebohile Mofokeng joined Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, while Olwethu Makhanya moved from Philadelphia Union to Scottish giants Rangers despite not appearing for Bafana Bafana at the tournament. Thapelo Maseko also completed a move to Danish side Copenhagen.

Mbokazi’s prospects could be revisited when the transfer window reopens in January. Calabrese indicated that Chicago Fire might consider a sizeable offer, although the club would be reluctant to lose a player they regard as central to their ambitions.

“We will see what happens in January, you never know he would not have played since the World Cup when January comes around but The Fire never had an intention to sell, unless someone had truly come in with a ridiculous amount of money, they were gonna sell him,” Calabrese added.

“Because he was viewed as an important piece to potentially winning the (league) title this year and if they had sold him mid-season, that would have been detrimental to their ambitions.”

Mbokazi is now concentrating on recovering from his injury. Whether European clubs return with renewed interest in January will depend both on his fitness and the scale of any offer made for the South Africa international.

For now, Chicago Fire’s position is clear: the former Orlando Pirates defender was not available for a summer transfer, regardless of the interest generated by his World Cup performances.