Leeds United star Noah Okafor rewarded for Premier League form with place in Switzerland's World Cup squad
Leeds United star Noah Okafor heading to World Cup as place in final Switzerland squad confirmed
Leeds United star Noah Okafor has been named in Switzerland’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
When the winger arrived at Elland Road from AC Milan last summer, he was out of the Switzerland picture. The 25-year-old had been frozen out and later spoke candidly about his frustration over the situation.
He eventually forced his way back into the fold earlier this year and will now be on the plane to the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Okafor will be hoping to continue his impressive form having notched eight goals in 28 league appearances for Leeds this season.
Below is Switzerland’s squad in full.
Switzerland’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient), Marvin Keller (Young Boys)
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Rodriguez (Real Betis), Silvan Widmer (Mainz), Miro Muheim (Hamburger SV), Aurèle Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eray Cömert (Valencia), Luca Jaquez (Stuttgart)
Midfielders: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Denis Zakaria (Monaco), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Djibril Sow (Sevilla), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Rubén Vargas (Sevilla)
Forwards: Breel Embolo (Rennes), Noah Okafor (Leeds United), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Dusseldorf)
Noah Okafor’s Leeds United exploits
Okafor has missed Leeds’ last two games through injury but took part in the annual lap of honour after the 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.
He then attended Leeds’ Player of the Year Awards ceremony last night (May 19), scooping the Performance of the Year award for his stunning display againt Manchester United last month. Okafor struck twice against the Red Devils, firing Leeds to a memorable 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
He is the third Leeds player to have had their place at the World Cup confirmed after call-ups for Gabriel Gudmundsson and Ao Tanaka, who will represent Sweden and Japan respectively.
Switzerland will kick off ther tournament against Qatar on June 13 before facing fellow group rivals Bosnia & Herzegovina and Canada.