Breel Embolo has been excluded from the Swiss national team due to the use of false Covid-19 certificates. Originally called up by coach Murat Yakin to play in four upcoming Nations League matches, Embolo will now miss those games, as confirmed by the Swiss Football Federation this Friday. While the federation did not provide specific reasons for the exclusion, Swiss media have linked it to a fine Embolo received in November 2025 for falsely claiming to have taken coronavirus tests using forged documentation. This information was recently disclosed by the news portal Schweiz Heute, as court decisions in Switzerland are typically not made public. When questioned by the newspaper St. Galler Tagblatt, Embolo acknowledged that his actions were not appropriate and accepted the consequences of his behavior. This is not the first time a Swiss national team player has faced consequences for similar issues. Captain Granit Xhaka, who had already been excluded from the team earlier in the week for using fake vaccination certificates, had explained that his actions were driven by "anxiety and doubt" during the pandemic and a "suspicion of the vaccine." The Swiss Football Federation has indicated that Xhaka's case may be reviewed after the next international break. Both players have faced repercussions for their decisions, which have now affected the national team's lineup for upcoming matches. Switzerland is set to face North Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday night, marking their first match since their successful World Cup campaign, where they reached the quarter-finals. However, the team will be missing key players. Breel Embolo, currently playing for Atlanta United in the MLS, and Johan Manzambi, who plays for Sunderland, will not be available for this match or the subsequent games against Scotland on September 29 and Slovenia and North Macedonia again on October 3 and 6 in Lucerne. Their absence will impact the team’s strategy and performance in these crucial fixtures. The exclusion of prominent players like Embolo and Xhaka highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding health documentation and personal responsibility during the pandemic. As Switzerland moves forward in the Nations League, the team will need to adjust to these changes while maintaining its competitive edge. The upcoming matches will test the depth of the squad and the effectiveness of the coaching staff’s preparations in the absence of key players.