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Mbokazi Ruled Out for Extended Period with Thigh Injury

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kyle Rodden/CSM/Shutterstock (16785173bo) Chicago Fire Defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi (4) controls the ball during the first half of an MLS match against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania MLS Union Vs Fire, Chester, USA - 21 Mar 2026

Chicago Fire coach Gregg Berhalter has confirmed that Mbekezeli Mbokazi will be out of action for an extended period with a thigh injury.

Mbokazi was ruled out for the Fire’s 3-1 defeat against New York City FC at the Yankee Stadium and has been ruled out for the M;S All-Star game.

The South African defender is now expected to be sidelined for the next six MLS matches as he mends his way back to full fitness from his thigh injury.

Berhalter insists that the South African defender’s absence will be hugely felt as the team adapts without one of its standout centre-backs.

“It’s not good,” Berhalter said.

“He’s going to be out a while. He took a shot in training, hit the ground a little bit, scuffed the ground, and ended up tearing his thigh. And it’s serious. He won’t be back for a good amount of time.

“It is a miss. We feel like we have good center backs there anyway, but because he’s a top center back, we’re going to be missing him for a while. So we’ve got to get used to the new normal.”