Xhaka missed four Switzerland games over a fake vaccine certificate. He is back for the two that decide promotion.
Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo are available for Switzerland again after the forged Covid-certificate cases, and the captain returns for the two Nations League games that can settle promotion.
Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo can play for Switzerland again. The Swiss federation said on Tuesday that both are available for the two Nations League games in November, ending a month in which the captain watched his team win four matches without him. 12
What the case was
Xhaka, 34, obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022, while he was at Arsenal and Switzerland required one for some travel and for entry to venues. 3
He said at the time that he had a "mistrust" of the vaccine and had been "influenced by worries and uncertainty". 3
On 8 October a summary judgment gave him two years' probation and a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, set at 50 daily rates of 3,000, and he paid the court costs. 34
Embolo's case is a separate one. The Atlanta United forward obtained forged Covid test certificates in 2021, was fined over it in 2025, and lost his place in the squad in September when Swiss media reported the case in fresh detail. 5
Why they were missing
Xhaka withdrew from the squad on 21 September, while public prosecutors in Lucerne investigated a doctor accused of issuing fake certificates. 4 Embolo was dropped four days later, and the federation said the decision would let "the team remain fully focused on the next matches". 5
Switzerland won all four Nations League games it played without the pair, scoring 11 and conceding one. 6
Why they are back now
The federation said the decision weighed "the specific circumstances of both cases, the concluded legal proceedings, and the sporting consequences already implemented". 1 National team director Pierluigi Tami added: "We are convinced that a return to the national team in November is responsible and the right thing to do." 1
Coach Murat Yakin said: "I am pleased once again to be able to make my selections without restrictions for the November games." 2
Xhaka keeps the armband. Yakin, his staff and the players' council were unanimous that he should, per ESPN, and the squad is named on 5 November. 12
What November asks
Switzerland lead League B Group 1 with 12 points from four games, five clear of Slovenia, and are chasing promotion back to League A. 26 A draw in Ljubljana would settle the group with a game to spare. 6
- Slovenia v Switzerland, Friday 13 November, Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana: 8:45pm local, 2:45pm ET, 11:45am PT. 78
- Switzerland v Scotland, Monday 16 November: 8:45pm local, 2:45pm ET, 11:45am PT. 7
Yakin now picks between the side that won four straight and the captain who sat them out. 4
Quote of the Day
"I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions." — Granit Xhaka, via BBC Sport, 8 October 2026 3
References
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