Max Wilkins

Mon 23 March 2026 16:10, UK

Leeds United star Noah Okafor has received a surprise call-up to the Switzerland squad for the upcoming international break.

The 25-year-old missed out on the original squad after hardly featuring in recent weeks due to injury at Elland Road.

That wasn’t a surprise to many, but he has now been called up to take his place in Murat Yakin’s squad for friendlies in late March.

The forward hasn’t featured for his nation since November 2024 as the Swiss fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Spain in the Nations League.

Okafor featured for Leeds against Brentford and will be grateful for a call-up, but Daniel Farke may not have the same opinion.

Daniel Farke must be nervous at Leeds United after Noah Okafor Switzerland call-up

The versatile attacker moved to Yorkshire in the summer, as a deal was agreed with AC Milan to bring him to the Premier League.

He has taken to English football well, although his recent injury has left a dent in what could have become an excellent debut season.

Okafor came off against Birmingham City in the FA Cup and was ruled out with a hamstring injury for nearly a month as a result.

He finally made his return against Brentford, but after just 21 minutes, it feels like a risk to throw him into an international break.

Farke surely won’t be happy to see his forward depart so soon after returning, as he now prepares for friendlies with Germany and Norway.

Okafor will be pleased with his Switzerland call-up, but he has to understand just how damaging it could prove to be for the Whites if it all goes wrong.

How did Okafor respond to Switzerland call-up?

From a personal perspective, no one can truly begrudge the ex-RB Salzburg man from going away to feature for his country.

Having not done so for over 16 months, this call-up will likely mean as much to him as any of his previous spells with his national team.

That prompted him to take to social media to express his gratitude to Yakin and Co. for bringing him back into the fold.

He said: “Grateful for the chance to be back. I’ll give everything I have to help the team. The World Cup dream is alive. Come on Switzerland.”

That shows what an honour this is for him, although that won’t stop concerns from emerging over his fitness at Thorp Arch.

It will certainly be interesting to see how he gets on during the international break, and Farke is certainly going to be keeping a close eye.