As Messi awaits, Noah Okafor’s odd World Cup blackout and bench saga grips Switzerland | OneFootball

Switzerland are into the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, yet Leeds United forward Noah Okafor is enduring a puzzlingly quiet tournament as Messi awaits. His minutes have been scarce and the glare unrelenting.

The Nati edged Colombia on penalties in Vancouver on Tuesday to set up Argentina, having beaten Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32. Okafor has logged only 19 minutes all summer, a late cameo in that Algeria tie.

As Switzerland toiled against Colombia, Der Bund’s live text repeatedly urged his introduction, noting around the half-hour that he had been considered to start and that his pace could help. By the 78th minute it posted a Mr Bean waiting GIF.

In the 87th minute Murat Yakin brought on Cedric Itten and Silvan Widmer, while a frustrated Breel Embolo went off. When Zeki Amdouni arrived in the 103rd minute, the blog answered with a Homer Simpson hedge meme, accepting Okafor would not play.

Off the pitch, Okafor has gone quiet on social media, even blacking out his Instagram profile image. After the Algeria win he headed for the tunnel rather than the on-pitch party, which sparked speculation until Blick reported he had simply needed the toilet.

Whether brief or a tactical freeze-out, his World Cup has been anything but routine. Argentina and Lionel Messi await on Saturday, and Leeds fans will watch to see if Yakin turns to him.

Source: Leedsunited.news