Mbekezeli Mbokazi, a 20-year-old South African central defender for Chicago Fire, is being monitored by ten European clubs, including Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Ajax, Utrecht, Sassuolo, Rennes, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Real Betis. Mbokazi has 14 caps and 1 goal for South Africa. During the World Cup, he helped his country reach the knockout phase for the first time, and MLSSoccer.com described him as one of the tournament's revelations. In the 2025/2026 season, he made 12 appearances in Major League Soccer and 11 in the Betway Premiership. Chicago Fire signed him in December 2025 as a U22 Initiative player, and his contract is until 2029 with an option for another season. Transfermarkt estimates his value at 3.5 million euros, and that amount is expected to rise because of his performance at the international level, his long-term contract, and the MLS structure. He joined Chicago Fire from Orlando Pirates in January 2026 for a reported fee of €2.5 million. Chicago Fire has no sporting or contractual requirement to sell him quickly, and there is significant interest from multiple clubs in signing the player.