Granit Xhaka Left Out of Switzerland National Team Camp

Granit Xhaka will sit out Switzerland’s latest national team camp after publicly addressing his vaccination status, with the Swiss Football Association confirming the midfielder will not travel to Belek, Turkey, this week.

In a statement, the federation said it had agreed with the player that he would not join the men’s national team for the upcoming training camp.

“Following his personal statement regarding his vaccination status, Granit Xhaka will not participate in the men’s national team’s upcoming gathering,” the Swiss FA announced.

Swiss FA president Peter Knabel backed the decision and underlined that the initiative came from the player as well.

“We welcome the fact that Granit is taking this step and is prepared to fully clarify the situation,” Knabel said. “At the same time, we mutually concluded that it was in the team’s best interest to proceed with this gathering without him.”

The message from the top of the federation is clear: cool the temperature, protect the group, move on to football.

“Our priority now is to calm the situation and focus entirely on the team and the upcoming Uefa Nations League fixtures,” Knabel added.

Nations League Demands Full Focus

Switzerland now turn to a demanding Nations League schedule without one of their most experienced figures. They open their campaign away to North Macedonia on Saturday, then head to Scotland on September 29 in what could be a key early test of their depth and leadership.

Home comforts follow. On October 3 and 6, the Swiss will host Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne, a double-header that may go a long way to shaping their group.

By then, the Xhaka question will be back on the table.

“At the end of this international window we will reassess the situation with Granit and discuss the next steps,” Knabel said, leaving the door open but not making any promises.

The autumn schedule remains packed. Switzerland are also due to face Slovenia on November 13 and Scotland on November 16, again in the Nations League, with the stakes likely rising by the week.

How long they navigate that run without their long-time midfield anchor may say as much about the team’s future direction as any result on the pitch.