“It hurts to hear and read I supposedly didn’t have a good attitude,” Okafor told The Athletic, referencing Switzerland boss Murat Yakin’s reasoning for not picking him. “They’re denying me my character and suggesting I didn’t give my all to play. Now it’s a little bit of a problem with the coach.
“For me, it doesn’t matter, I know my qualities. I know where I want to go and I know what I’m here for, so I’m ready.”
In a World Cup year, Okafor was effectively frozen out of Switzerland’s plans by Yakin. The 51-year-old’s ill feeling towards the speedy left-winger gave him a mountain to climb to get back into the squad. Moving from one of Europe’s grandest names to a side expected to be relegated from the Premier League won’t have made Yakin sit up and take much notice either.
However, Okafor’s eight goals in the Premier League – two of which at Old Trafford earned him Leeds’ ‘Performance of the Season’ award – have propelled him back into the national fold.
Confirmation this week of Yakin’s squad sees Okafor force his way back into the side at the perfect moment. He’s timed his peak Premier League form to perfection in spite of a recent calf problem, prompting Yakin to change his mind.
Leeds United handed huge 2026 transfer boost following Noah Okafor’s World Cup update
This World Cup call-up for Okafor is just further proof that him joining Leeds was probably the best move of his career.
He’s almost at cult hero status already for what he did across the Pennines, paying off that £18million with those two goals on their own. However, there’s an added benefit to him playing so well and heading to the World Cup.
When Leeds sold the proposition of a transfer to Okafor, the World Cup will have been a key discussion. ‘We can get you to that tournament,’ Leeds will have told him. Promise fulfilled.
Now, when looking to more ambitious targets this summer, the club can certainly use Okafor as a good reference. We’ve taken him from international wilderness and AC Milan’s fringes to one of the most exciting left-wingers in the Premier League in 2026.
Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also boosted international prospects by joining Leeds United
Stach hasn’t been able to fully convince Nagelsmann to bury his nonsensical prejudices, unfortunately. That ankle injury has seen the Germany boss favour Leon Goretzka in midfield for his World Cup squad. Even still, him returning to Germany contention is a massive improvement for him.
Every time he’s spoke about England since joining Leeds for free, he mentions how he thought he was “a million miles away”. But, Daniel Farke’s platforming of Calvert-Lewin since December saw him return to the Three Lions camp in March.
He’s on an impressive 14 league goals so far. His latest came against Brighton as competitor Danny Welbeck watched on. And, that might be a timely reminder for Thomas Tuchel what the Leeds number nine can offer. Calvert-Lewin’s fate with the England squad will be confirmed on Friday. And, the fact he’s even remotely close to being on the plane shows how impressive his season has been.
These three can testify to any new transfer targets that joining Leeds is good for your career, at both club and international level.