Chicago Fire on the Biggest Stage: Checking In on the World Cup
11 days into the 2026 World Cup, one thing is clear: the Chicago Fire are a global institution.
During the opening game of the tournament, FOX’s Ian Darke referenced the Fire not once, but twice. No other club on planet Earth can claim that honor.
On a less haughty note, the Fire have been well-represented on the world’s biggest stage.
It should come as no surprise with the form the club have been in as of late.
Three current team members are all donning their nation’s kits at the tournament, with the Men in Red also represented by a pair of former players.
Here’s how they’ve all gotten on so far.
TLB a Bright Spot for South Africa
20-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi seems completely unfazed by the big occasion. The center back, affectionately nicknamed TLB by fans from his homeland (referring to the versatile machine), has been a staple in the South African setup since his debut in May 2025. This has held true at the World Cup, where he has played every minute of Bafana Bafana’s first two games.
In a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the opening game, not much went right for the South Africans. Two red cards and a total lack of attacking initiative left them empty-handed at the Estadio Azteca. Even so, Mbokazi impressed, making eight defensive contributions. No player on the pitch had more.
Against Czechia in game two, Mbokazi was even better, making 11 defensive contributions as South Africa grinded their way to a 1-1 draw. The youngster was also at the center of a rather amusing moment when he took a low shot from range and promptly deflated the ball, exposing the world to his cannon of a leg.
TLB and Bafana Bafana are still alive in the battle for a knockout berth and will next face South Korea.
Waterman and Brady Wait in the Rafters
While Mbokazi lights up the pitch, his club teammates stay waiting for an opportunity. Joel Waterman, who boasts 17 caps for Canada, earned a call-up to the second World Cup of his career, but has yet to feature this year. The co-hosts drew their opening game 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina before dispatching nine-man Qatar 6-0. Waterman will hope for some minutes in the group decider against Switzerland.
Similarly, the Fire’s ever-reliable man between the sticks, Chris Brady, has remained on the bench so far. The 22-year-old received a call-up to the USMNT as a reward for his stellar performances with the Fire. However, manager Mauricio Pochettino has opted to start Matt Freese so far. The NYCFC goalkeeper helped the US to a 4-1 dismantling of Paraguay and a 2-0 blanking of Australia.
Brady does have an outside shot of making his World Cup debut in the final group game against Turkey. The USMNT has not only secured a spot in the knockouts, but they’re also guaranteed a first-place finish. Facing the already-eliminated Turks, there is quite literally nothing to play for. With Pochettino at liberty to rotate his team, Brady or fellow reserve Matt Turner could get an opportunity.
A Fantastic Advertisement for the Fire Academy
Facing Mbokazi in the first game of the World Cup was former Fire standout Brian Gutierrez. The Illinois-born midfielder recently completed a move to Chivas and switched national allegiances from the US to Mexico. He, too, has started both of his side’s games, and though he struggled against South Africa, the Fire’s homegrown created the most chances of any player and drew a red-card-worthy tackle.
Gutierrez was far more impressive in a 1-0 win over South Korea, looking bright going forward and completing the bulk of his passes. El Tri have secured first place in their group, and the Chicagoland native seems to have secured his spot in the starting 11.
While his impact in Chicago certainly pales in comparison to Gutierrez’s, there is another Fire Academy product at the World Cup in Esmir Bajraktarevic. The Bosnian youngster spent a year of his youth career with the Men in Red before ultimately joining the New England Revolution‘s junior setup. Bajraktarevic has appeared in both of his nation’s games thus far.
Fire Storylines Aplenty
The World Cup is for everyone, but Fire fans will certainly feel a certain pride at seeing the club so well-represented.
None of their own have been eliminated yet, two rounds in.
There’s everything to play for as action continues, and through it all, the Fire’s flame will burn bright.
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