The Aporia · Switzerland's Embolo joins Xhaka out of Nations League squad over fake COVID-19 documents

Switzerland's Embolo joins Xhaka out of Nations League squad over fake COVID-19 documents

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The Associated Press. (2026, September 25). Switzerland's Embolo joins Xhaka out of Nations League squad over fake COVID-19 documents. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/switzerland-s-embolo-joins-xhaka-out-of-nations-league-squad-over-fake-covid-19-documents/article_8fe728c0-060e-5820-acc9-9267d007d035.html

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Switzerland's soccer federation has removed player Breel Embolo from the Nations League squad due to his use of fake COVID-19 documents, joining captain Granit Xhaka who withdrew because of similar issues involving false vaccination certificates. The decision aims to help the team stay focused on upcoming matches against North Macedonia and Scotland this week. Both players' cases have drawn attention to past controversies related to their actions during the pandemic, impacting Switzerland's preparation for these crucial international games.

Written by AI on 2026-09-27, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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Story summary

World Cup quarterfinalist Switzerland is facing lineup changes due to players using fake COVID-19 documents. Breel Embolo will not join the squad in Scotland as planned, after national media reported on his 2021 case of obtaining forged test certificates. The Swiss soccer federation stated this decision aims to keep the team focused on upcoming matches against North Macedonia and Scotland. Additionally, captain Granit Xhaka, with a record 152 caps for Switzerland, agreed last weekend to withdraw from the squad due to his involvement in an investigation into a doctor issuing fake vaccination certificates during the pandemic. Switzerland's Nations League second-tier group starts Saturday against North Macedonia, followed by games at Scotland and home matches in Lucerne against Slovenia and North Macedonia. Embolo was already suspended for Saturday’s game because of a red card against Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Written for “Swiss Soccer Team Changes” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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Swiss captain Xhaka sidelined over fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate Different event

Al Jazeera

Hedges 0 of 15 claims Outlet record 60/100

“Article A reports on Granit Xhaka being sidelined due to a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate, while Article B covers Breel Embolo also being excluded from the squad for similar reasons involving forged test certificates.”

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The Associated Press

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Claims (6 extracted, 0 hedged)

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — World Cup quarterfinalist Switzerland has lost a second player from its Nations League squad because of years-old cases of fake COVID-19 documents. asserted

Switzerland → lose → documents

Breel Embolo will not join the squad in Scotland as planned, the Swiss soccer federation said Friday, due to fresh reporting in national media about his past case of obtaining forged test certificates in 2021. asserted

federation → join → 2021

“This decision aims to allow the team to remain fully focused on the next matches,” the federation said about the Atlanta United forward. asserted

federation → aim → forward

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka agreed with team officials last weekend to withdraw from the squad because he is implicated in an investigation of a doctor issuing fake vaccination certificates during the COVID-19 pandemic. asserted

he → agree → pandemic

Xhaka, the Swiss record holder with 152 caps, admitted getting the forged document in 2022 and accepted he made mistakes. Switzerland starts its Nations League second-tier group Saturday at North Macedonia, plays at Scotland on Tuesday, then has home games in Lucerne against Slovenia and North Macedonia. Embolo already was suspended for the game Saturday because of his controversial red card against Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals. Soccer’s Zurich-based rules panel, known as IFAB, later acknowledged Embolo was mistakenly sent off in a breach of video review protocol. On Friday, the Switzerland Today outlet reported details of Embolo’s financial sanction imposed last year for the previously known false test result documents. At the World Cup, the 29-year-old Embolo scored in Switzerland’s opening game — a 1-1 draw with Qatar — despite arriving at the tournament days later than teammates because of a visa issue with United States authorities. asserted

Embolo → admit → authorities

He also scored in a round of 32 win over Algeria. asserted

He → score → Algeria

Switzerland's Embolo joins Xhaka out of Nations League squad over fake COVID-19 documents

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