Noah Okafor has stepped away from the Switzerland national team at the age of 26, saying he no longer wants to represent his country under manager Murat Yakin after what he described as the most difficult experience of his career.
The Leeds United winger was included in Switzerland’s World Cup squad after finishing the season strongly, scoring four goals in his final four games for the club. Despite making the tournament squad, Okafor featured only once, coming on as a late substitute in Switzerland’s round-of-32 victory over Algeria.
Okafor insists, however, that his decision is not about the limited playing time. In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, he said the way he was treated during the tournament left him deeply disappointed and damaged the trust he had in the national team setup.
“Dear fans, these lines are the hardest I have written in my career so far,” Okafor wrote as he announced his decision to step away from international football until further notice.
He said he had travelled to the World Cup feeling motivated and determined to contribute to Switzerland both on and off the pitch. Instead, he described the experience as deeply difficult, pointing specifically to what he regarded as a breakdown in trust and respect.
Okafor had already had a complicated relationship with Yakin and the Swiss national team before his latest decision. In March, he returned to the squad after a 16-month absence following a meeting with the manager. During his time away, Okafor had criticised Yakin and Swiss football officials over what he said was poor communication while he was not being selected.
His return suggested that the relationship had been repaired, but the World Cup appears to have reopened the divisions.
Okafor said he expected criticism from those who might believe his frustration was simply a reaction to being left on the bench. He rejected that interpretation, stressing that he had gone to the tournament prepared to support the team regardless of how much he played.
According to the winger, the problems went beyond selection decisions. He referred to promises that he said were not kept and said certain incidents during the tournament had affected him personally. He also mentioned the reaction to mistakes he made during his appearance against Algeria, saying even errors far from Switzerland’s goal were dealt with in a way that hurt him deeply.
After reflecting on the experience in the weeks following the tournament, Okafor said he reached the decision that he did not want to continue playing for Switzerland while Yakin remained in charge.
His statement was notably measured in its assessment of the manager. Okafor acknowledged Yakin’s achievements with Switzerland and said the team’s success demonstrated that the coach and his methods had produced results. He also made clear that he was not asking for preferential treatment.
What he wanted, he said, was mutual respect and trust, something he no longer believed existed between himself and the manager.
The decision does not appear to represent a rejection of Switzerland itself. Okafor spoke warmly about his teammates, describing many of them as friends and saying he would continue to support the team and celebrate its successes.
He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country, saying playing for Switzerland remains something special to him and insisting that he always gave everything when wearing the national shirt.
The Swiss Football Association confirmed that Okafor had personally informed officials of his decision. In a brief statement, the association said he would not play for the national team “for the time being”, while respecting his decision and wishing him success with his club.
That wording leaves open the possibility that Okafor could eventually return to international football, particularly if circumstances change. For now, however, the 26-year-old has drawn a clear line between his international career and the current Switzerland setup under Yakin.
For a player who had only recently ended a lengthy spell outside the national team, the latest development marks another significant turn in an increasingly complicated relationship with Swiss football. Okafor has made it clear that his issue is not simply about being selected or left on the bench. It is about whether he feels trusted and respected within the team.
Until that changes, he has chosen to step away.
