Leeds United forward Noah Okafor has ruled himself out of Switzerland duty while Murat Yakin remains head coach, saying his relationship with the national-team leadership has deteriorated beyond repair.
The 26-year-old has made 26 appearances for Switzerland since his senior debut in 2019, but his role has become increasingly limited. At the World Cup, he played only 19 minutes, appearing as a substitute during Switzerland’s last-32 victory over Algeria.
Okafor announced his decision on social media on Thursday, stressing that it was not driven by frustration over playing time. Instead, he pointed to a loss of trust and dissatisfaction with how he had been treated within the squad.
The forward said a series of incidents had left him deeply disappointed and convinced him that continuing under the current coaching setup was no longer the right option. He also indicated that the reaction to mistakes during his appearance against Algeria contributed to his decision.
The Swiss Football Association was informed of Okafor’s position on Thursday and said it respected his choice while wishing him well at club level.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke has backed the player following the announcement. Okafor joined Leeds from AC Milan for £18m in August 2025 and has been told he remains an important part of the club’s plans.
Farke said Okafor had discussed the situation with him in advance and made clear that Leeds would continue to support the forward. The German coach also stressed that any decision over Okafor’s international future should remain entirely with the player and those close to him.
For now, Okafor’s Switzerland career is effectively on hold rather than formally over, with his stance specifically linked to Yakin’s continued leadership.
Switzerland are due to return to action on 26 September when they visit North Macedonia in their opening match of the 2026-27 Nations League.