According to Swiss media reports, Leeds United striker Okafor announced that he will withdraw from the Swiss national team indefinitely and will no longer play for the team.
Okafor explained his decision on social media. He stated that his choice was not due to insufficient playing time with the national team, but rather because he was disappointed with the treatment he received during the 2026 World Cup.
Okafor said: "What disappointed me more was everything I went through there. It wasn't because I didn't get much playing time, but because of how I was treated. For me, it was the toughest period of my career so far."
Okafor's experience in the World Cup Round of 32 match against Algeria was particularly difficult for him to accept. He said, "Some things hurt me deeply. Trust was broken, and promises were not kept. When I got the chance to play against Algeria, even after a small mistake far from the goal, the reaction from the outside world hurt me a lot."
Okafor had previously clashed with Swiss coach Murat Jakin. The two had communicated before the World Cup, but Okafor believed that events during the World Cup further damaged the trust between them.
“Of course, I don’t want special treatment from him. I just want mutual respect and trust, but I don’t think I see that foundation in the next few years,” Okafor said.
