Both players are eligible again after exclusions over forged Covid-19 vaccination certificates. Coach Murat Yakin will choose November’s squad and decide whether Xhaka continues as captain.
The Swiss Football Association confirmed on 27 October that captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo can return to national-team selection in November, BBC Sport said. The decision allows Switzerland coach Murat Yakin to pick them; it does not confirm their places in his squad.
Embolo, 29, was dropped from the squad in September over obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Xhaka, 34, missed October’s Nations League matches after admitting that he obtained a fake certificate that allowed him to travel and compete in 2022. Xhaka took responsibility for his actions.
Each player was fined 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000). The fines are suspended for two years, meaning they do not have to pay provided they commit no further offences during that period.
National-team director Pierluigi Tami said the federation considered the circumstances of both cases, the completed legal proceedings and the sporting consequences already imposed. He said allowing the players to return in November was responsible and the right decision.
Xhaka has not been stripped of the captaincy. The federation said the final decision on whether he continues as captain remains with Yakin.
Yakin is due to announce his squad on 5 November. Switzerland lead Nations League Group E ahead of their final two fixtures, against Slovenia on 13 November and Scotland on 16 November.
The Swiss football federation has restored Xhaka’s and Breel Embolo’s eligibility after four missed internationals, putting both back in contention for November’s Nations League squad.
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