Xhaka withdrawn from Swiss squad over forged COVID certificate

Swiss footballer Granit Xhaka has been withdrawn from the national team after admitting he obtained a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic. The 33-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Sunderland and captains Switzerland, made the admission in a statement on his Instagram account on Monday, September 21, 2026. The Swiss Football Association announced that Xhaka will not participate in the upcoming Nations League training camp and matches, a decision made jointly with the player. The Lucerne public prosecutors office has confirmed it is investigating whether Xhaka's actions constitute criminal conduct related to document forgery or fraudulent certification. In his statement, Xhaka expressed regret for his actions. "At the time, I was very worried about the issue of Covid-19 vaccination... I felt deep mistrust regarding the vaccine and was gripped by anxiety and doubt," he wrote. "Today I clearly see that I made the wrong choice. It was a mistake. I am sorry." He added that he is "cooperating fully with the relevant authorities." Swiss FA President Peter Knabel stated that the priority is to calm the situation and focus on the team.