Mbekezeli Mbokazi

RSA

• #14 • Center Back

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

RSA

• #14 • Center Back

Club

Chicago Fire

League

Major League Soccer

Position

Center Back

Role

Ball-Playing Center Back

Birthdate (Age)

Sep 19, 2005 (21)

Preferred Foot

Left

Height

5'10"

Weight

198 lb

National Team

South Africa

Ranking

World Cup

2026 All matches

Overall grade

77.3

72/974

Impact score

6.8

397/974

Defender rank

33rd

33/356

All rank

120th

120/974

Grades

Key Grades

2026 World Cup

Overall

28th/356 DEF

77.8

Passing

24th/352 DEF

78.8

1 V 1 Defending

26th/342 DEF

79.8

Aerial Duel

162nd/327 DEF

65.1

Positioning

84th/351 DEF

Blocking

118th/344 DEF

72.6

Overall Grades by game

2026 World Cup

Metrics

Key Metrics

2026 World Cup

Appearances

Minutes

406

Goals

Assists

Upcoming matches

Oct 24, 11:30pm UTC

Atlanta United

Chicago Fire

Atlanta Stadium • MLS Pass on Apple TV

Dick's Sporting Goods Park • MLS Pass on Apple TV

Nov 7, 9:00pm UTC

Chicago Fire

Columbus Crew

Soldier Field • MLS Pass on Apple TV

News

Sep 26, 2026

Starts against Charlotte

Mbokazi (thigh) is in the starting lineup in Saturday's trip to Charlotte.

Analysis: Mbokazi could give Chicago an immediate defensive boost following his return to group training earlier this week. The center-back has not played since the World Cup, and it's still unclear if he's ready for a full-match performance. He should be reliable as a source of accurate passes, clearances and tackles while he shares defensive responsibilities with Jack Elliott.

Jun 25, 2026

Records 12 clearances in win

Mbokazi had one tackle (one won), 12 clearances and two interceptions in Wednesday's 1-0 win against South Korea.

Analysis: Mbokazi delivered the most dominant defensive performance of the match in Wednesday's 1-0 win over South Korea, registering 12 clearances, two interceptions and one tackle across his 90 minutes as the left center-back in South Africa's back four, consistently dealing with South Korea's aerial threat and clearing danger from his penalty area in a match where the quality of his defensive work was central to preserving the clean sheet that sent Bafana Bafana into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. The center-back completed 24 passes and won two aerial duels as one of the defensive pillars that frustrated Oh Hyun-Gyu and Hwang Hee-Chan throughout, with his 12 clearances the most of any player on the pitch from either side. His aerial dominance, defensive authority and reading of the game make him South Africa's most physically commanding defensive option heading into the round of 32 against Canada, where his ability to deal with aerial threats and organize the backline will be essential to any upset his side can produce.