Only one of the four Leeds United World Cup representatives saw action in the first round of group stage matches but the words of a national team boss might give second round hope.
Noah Okafor's relationship with Murat Yakin has been a complicated one, with both men speaking their minds publicly on the situation prior to a recall from the international wilderness for the Leeds attacker. Okafor sat on the bench for the entirety of Switzerland's Euro 2024 campaign and then appeared in the squad for just two of the following 16 fixtures. Okafor rejoined the squad this year in March, without getting on the pitch, and played 11 minutes of the pre-World Cup friendly against Australia. When the World Cup began with a Group B game against Qatar, the 26-year-old was once again handed a watching brief and didn't play a minute of action.
Okafor's lack of involvement was difficult to understand, even taking into consideration the calf niggle that hampered him at the very end of his debut season in the Premier League. He scored eight goals in the English top flight and improved as the season went on to become a key player for Daniel Farke. The finishing ability he showed against Manchester United at Old Trafford and against both Wolves and Burnley could have come in handy for a Swiss team that couldn't finish their dinner against Qatar. Yakin's men mustered an incredible 26 shots, only seven of which were on target. They created an Expected Goals [xG] of 3.24, to Qatar's 0.76. The game ended 1-1.
Yakin has since doubled down on the starting XI he went with for the opener, though he has admitted that perhaps his substitutions were wrong. And ahead of Thursday night's clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina, his hint at changes might give Okafor hope of his first taste of World Cup 2026 football.
"Against Qatar, I brought on some younger players. Maybe my expectations were wrong," said Yakin. "That’s why I’m also hard on myself and have to admit my mistakes. It wasn’t these players’ fault, but mine—perhaps I chose the wrong tactics and brought on players who still need to gain more experience.
"I’d field exactly the same line-up against Qatar again. That worked very well. But now we’re facing a different opponent with a different tactic. That also presents an opportunity to make some changes."
In the other Group B game tonight, ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch leads his Canada team into a home fixture against Qatar. He's called on Canadian fans in Vancouver to create a 'rocking' atmosphere.
"We expect this place to be rocking, man," he said. "I mean, red, everywhere. Rocking, supporting these guys. Supporting their players, their team, their country. These guys will be ready to perform and we want to make sure that Qatar feels not just the team, but the crowd. So show up, be loud, use the echo in the stadium and make sure that we have a 12th man in this stadium."
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