Embolo omitted from Switzerland squad after Covid-document sanction

Switzerland striker Breel Embolo has been omitted from the squad for the country’s upcoming Nations League matches after being sanctioned for using forged Covid-19 test certificates during the pandemic. The Swiss football association announced on Friday that Embolo would not be called up but did not give a reason. Swiss media reported that the decision was connected to a fine imposed on the Atlanta United player in November 2025.

Details of the sanction were recently reported by Schweiz Heute. Embolo told the St. Galler Tagblatt that he understood his conduct had been wrong and accepted responsibility.

His omission follows the decision to leave captain Granit Xhaka out of the squad. Xhaka admitted on Monday that he had used a fake certificate to avoid mandatory vaccination, saying he had felt mistrust and anxiety about the vaccine. The Swiss FA said Xhaka’s case would be reviewed after the current international window.

Embolo would have been suspended for Switzerland’s opening match against North Macedonia because of a red card received against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals. Switzerland will begin its Nations League campaign away to North Macedonia on Saturday before travelling to Scotland on September 29. The team will then host Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne on October 3 and 6.

The two players’ absences come as the Swiss side prepares for a series of Nations League fixtures. The supplied material does not state whether Embolo’s omission is a formal disciplinary decision by the association or a selection decision linked to the reported sanction.