As the 2026 World Cup continues to capture the attention of football fans around the globe, Leeds United supporters have found themselves asking the same question over and over again:
Why are some of their best players spending so much time on the bench?
Brenden Aaronson, Noah Okafor and Ao Tanaka all travelled to the tournament hoping to play key roles for their countries. Instead, all three have found themselves watching large parts of the competition from the sidelines despite arriving in excellent form and with strong cases for inclusion.
While every international manager has difficult decisions to make, Leeds fans would be forgiven for believing that these three players deserved far more opportunities than they have received so far.
Aaronson entered the tournament following arguably the strongest Premier League season of his career. The American midfielder made 37 league appearances for Leeds, contributing important goals and assists throughout the campaign.
His form during the second half of the season was particularly impressive. Aaronson scored against Manchester United, struck twice against Newcastle United and produced several influential performances that helped Leeds remain competitive against some of the league’s biggest clubs.
Those performances even earned him Leeds United’s Player of the Month award during one of the most productive spells of his campaign.
Yet despite his experience and proven ability at both club and international level, Aaronson has found himself on the outside looking in. Mauricio Pochettino has largely stuck with his preferred attacking options, leaving the Leeds midfielder waiting for opportunities that have yet to arrive.
For a player who has repeatedly delivered for both club and country, it is difficult not to feel he has earned more than a spectator’s role.
If Aaronson’s situation is frustrating, Noah Okafor’s may be even harder for Leeds supporters to understand.
The Swiss forward arrived at the World Cup after becoming one of Leeds United’s most dangerous attacking weapons. Following his arrival from AC Milan, Okafor quickly established himself as a fan favourite thanks to his pace, direct running and ability to produce goals in crucial moments.
His end-of-season form was exceptional.
Okafor scored a vital goal against Burnley and produced one of the standout performances of Leeds’ season by scoring twice at Old Trafford against Manchester United. During one remarkable spell, he scored five goals in five league matches and looked every bit the elite forward Leeds believed they were signing.
Many expected that form to earn him a significant role for Switzerland.
Instead, he has spent much of the tournament on the bench while others have been preferred. Whether it is tactical preference, loyalty to players who helped Switzerland qualify or lingering trust issues from previous disagreements with the national team setup, the outcome remains the same.
One of Leeds United’s most in-form players has barely been given the chance to influence football’s biggest tournament.
Of the three Leeds representatives, Okafor may have the strongest argument that he deserved more.
Then there is Ao Tanaka.
The Japanese midfielder has quietly become one of Leeds United’s most important players since arriving at Elland Road. While others often attract the headlines, Tanaka’s consistency, intelligence and composure have made him one of the first names on Daniel Farke’s team sheet.
His performances were recognised throughout the season.
Tanaka won Leeds United’s Players’ Player of the Year award, was named in the Championship Team of the Season and played a major role in the club’s success. He also carried that form onto the international stage, helping Japan secure an impressive victory over England in a World Cup warm-up fixture.
Given those achievements, many expected him to play a major role for Japan at the tournament.
Instead, he too has found himself waiting for opportunities from the bench.
Japan’s strong performances make it difficult to heavily criticise the decision, but that does not change the fact that a player of Tanaka’s quality has been forced to watch while others have been trusted ahead of him.
World Cups are built on fine margins, tactical decisions and managerial preferences. Every tournament leaves talented players wondering what more they could have done.
But when Leeds supporters look at Aaronson, Okafor and Tanaka, they see three players who arrived at the World Cup with genuine momentum behind them.
Aaronson brought Premier League form and international experience. Okafor arrived as one of Leeds’ hottest attacking players. Tanaka travelled as a player widely regarded as one of the most reliable and influential performers at Elland Road.
Yet all three have spent significant portions of the tournament watching from the sidelines.
Perhaps their opportunities will still come.
If they do, few Leeds United fans will be surprised if Aaronson, Okafor and Tanaka quickly remind the world why they deserved more than a seat on the bench in the first place.
