Mbokazi Outpolls MLS Elites To Join Messi And Son in All-Star Squad
Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s stunning debut season with Chicago Fire has seen him emulate the legendary Doctor Khumalo, after the rising star received a massive surge of fan votes alongside Lionel Messi to secure a spot in the MLS All-Star team.
Mbokazi racked up the most fan votes of any player in the league, becoming the first South African selected for the prestigious MLS All-Star Game since Khumalo achieved the feat 30 years ago in 1996 at Columbus Crew.
Mbokazi will run shoulder-to-shoulder with eight-time World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, and LA Galaxy’s Son Heung‑min.
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will see the MLS elite take on a powerhouse squad of All-Stars from Mexico’s top flight, Liga MX, on Wednesday, 29 July, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Since joining Chicago Fire from Orlando Pirates during the January transfer window, the 20-year-old has turned heads with a string of commanding performances. He has quickly built a reputation for high-stakes defending, including several breathtaking, goal-line clearances. The young center-back has already featured in 14 matches across all competitions for the Major League Soccer outfit.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos will be banking on Mbokazi to replicate this elite club form on the international stage when South Africa squares off against tournament co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca in the FIFA World Cup opener on 11 June.
Competing in a challenging Group A, Bafana Bafana will then face the Czech Republic on 18 June, before concluding their group stage campaign against their final opponents on 25 June.
