Chicago Fire and Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has made history in the United States of America (USA).

The 20-year-old has been named in the Major League Soccer (MLS) All Stars, becoming only the second South African selected to an MLS All-Star Game since Doctor Khumalo in 1996.

Mbokazi received the most fan votes of any player in a star-studded team featuring the likes of Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min.

The 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime will feature the MLS All-Stars taking on a team of All-Stars from Mexico’s top soccer league, LIGA MX, on Wednesday, July 29, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The highly anticipated match marks the first-ever All-Star Game played at the venue and will be broadcast live on MLS on Apple TV in English, Spanish, and French.

“In addition to the MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime, the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T will offer fans an exciting display of skill and competition as top MLS stars face off against top LIGA MX stars in a thrilling showdown on Tuesday, July 28 (8 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV) at Truist Field in Charlotte,” added the MLS.

2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime First XI:

Goalkeeper (1): Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
Left Back (1): Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United FC)
Center Backs (2): Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC) and Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
Right Back (1): Andy Najar (Nashville SC)
Defensive Midfielder (1): Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Attacking Midfielders (2): Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake) and Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
Forwards (3): Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire FC), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), and Leo Messi (Inter Miami CF)