Breel Embolo dropped by Switzerland over false Covid tests

Switzerland has removed Breel Embolo from its squad for the next four Nations League fixtures after a legal case involving false Covid test certificates. The decision keeps the Stade Rennais forward out of the national team during the upcoming international window and the matches that follow.

The Swiss federation announced his withdrawal without giving a reason. Embolo was fined in November 2025 after claiming to have undergone Covid tests using forged certificates. The case concerns two PCR documents obtained in February 2021 for travel. They were allegedly prepared by a laboratory employee connected to a former Hells Angels member and sent to Embolo through WhatsApp. The player has acknowledged that his conduct was wrong and said he accepted responsibility.

The exclusion comes days after Switzerland also left captain Granit Xhaka out of the squad over the use of false Covid vaccination certificates. Xhaka’s case is due to be reviewed after the next international window.

Switzerland will begin its programme against North Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday, then visit Scotland in Glasgow on September 29. The team will next face Slovenia before meeting North Macedonia again in Lucerne on October 6, with the Slovenia fixture scheduled for October 3. Embolo will miss all four games, as Switzerland starts a new campaign after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.