Manuel Akanji, Noah Okafor Named In Switzerland World Cup Squad

Manuel Akanji and Noah Okafor made the list as Switzerland confirmed it’s 26-man World Cup squad.

Both Akanji and Okafor have Nigerian parentage.

Akanji was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland, to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother. He represented Switzerland at youth levels, though, before making his debut for the senior side in 2017.

The 27-year-old centre-back has 42 caps for the Swiss and was a member of the 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Like Akanji, Okafor was born to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother, with the youngster deciding to represent his country of birth.

The Binningen-born attacker only made his senior debut in 2019 after playing for Switzerland at every cadet level.

But the 22-year-old forward’s impact has already been felt. Okafor’s first international goal secured automatic qualification for Switzerland to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar 2022 will be the youngster’s first appearance at the World Cup.