Granit Xhaka will miss Switzerland's upcoming Nations League campaign after admitting that he obtained a Covid-19 vaccination certificate without receiving the vaccination, while Swiss prosecutors investigate the circumstances surrounding the document.
The Sunderland midfielder addressed the issue publicly on Monday, acknowledging that his decision during the pandemic was a mistake. Xhaka said he had developed a deep mistrust of the vaccine and had been affected by fear, uncertainty and concerns surrounding the issue at the time.
Looking back, the Switzerland captain said he should have sought clarification instead of obtaining the certificate. He accepted responsibility for what happened and said he would cooperate fully with the authorities as they establish the facts.
The admission comes after the Public Prosecutor's Office in Lucerne opened criminal proceedings over the suspected use or acquisition of a false Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Xhaka is expected to be questioned by investigators as part of the process.
The incident dates back to 2022, when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal. At the time, Switzerland did not impose a blanket requirement for people to possess a Covid certificate, but certificates were used to regulate access to certain activities, venues and travel arrangements. Certificates also remained relevant for some international travel requirements after wider domestic restrictions were eased.
Xhaka's admission has also resulted in his temporary departure from the Switzerland squad.
The Swiss Football Association confirmed that the player and the national team's leadership jointly agreed that he would not take part in the current international gathering. The federation said the situation would be reassessed after the international window.
Switzerland's Nations League schedule begins away to North Macedonia on September 26, followed by a trip to Scotland three days later. They then host Slovenia on October 3 before facing North Macedonia again in Lucerne on October 6. Xhaka will therefore miss all four fixtures.
The development follows a difficult period of reflection for Xhaka, who said his concerns about the vaccine influenced the decision he made in 2022. His latest statement did not attempt to defend the choice, with the midfielder instead describing it as a wrong decision and expressing regret.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris was asked about the situation after Sunday's defeat to Manchester City but declined to get involved, saying the matter was outside his responsibility. His focus, he said, remained on football and Xhaka's performances for Sunderland.
Despite the controversy, Xhaka remains one of the most experienced players in Swiss football history. The 33-year-old is the country's record men's international appearance holder with 152 caps and captained Switzerland during their run to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Switzerland were eventually eliminated by Argentina, who went on to reach the final.
For now, Xhaka's immediate future with the national team will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and discussions between the player and the Swiss Football Association after the international window.
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