Four Leeds United players have missed out on international call-ups this month, including Noah Okafor.
The November international break is a crucial one as it will see qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup reach a conclusion ahead of the Play-offs in March.
Leeds United will be happy for the break after they suffered another terrible loss at Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with Daniel Farke now coming under pressure.
There are 16 Leeds stars away on international duty, with the Welsh quartet, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol all still having a lot to play for as they try and get to the World Cup.
Four players, however, have missed out on call-ups this month.
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Noah Okafor – Switzerland
It may be a low bar, but Noah Okafor has been Leeds’ most dangerous player so far this season, yet has found himself exiled from the Switzerland squad, marooned on 24 caps.
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has publicly criticised Okafor for not scoring enough this past week. He said: “I’ve spoken with Okafor repeatedly, telling him what I expect from him on and off the pitch. I hope my words eventually get through to him.
“We’ll continue to monitor him. Attacking players are also measured by their goalscoring. Those who are currently in the squad have an advantage over Okafor in that regard.”
However, Swiss media believe Okafor’s controversial comments on the national set-up are why he is out of the side and is unlikely to go to the World Cup.
Willy Gnonto – Italy U21s
Despite apparently being in training for weeks, Willy Gnonto has still not returned to action after his injury.
The winger has been sidelined since September 13, which means he isn’t in the Italy U21 squad this month, either. Gnonto last played for the side when he was sent off in the U21 Euros quarter-final defeat to Germany in the summer.
Harry Gray – England U17s
Young striker Harry Gray has returned from his own injury trouble this month and got back among the goals in Saturday’s 2-1 U21 loss to Nottingham Forest.
However, he hasn’t returned to the England U17s side alongside teammate Jacob Howard just yet.
Sebastiaan Bornauw – Belgium
Sebastiaan Bornauw is still yet to make his Premier League debut and he now finds himself dealing with a knee problem as well.
Even if he wasn’t injured, though, it would be unlikely to see him called back to the Belgium squad for the first time since October 2024.
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