Granit Xhaka to Miss Switzerland Training Camp Over Vaccination Status

Granit Xhaka will sit out Switzerland’s upcoming training camp in Belek, Turkey, after talks with the Swiss Football Association over his vaccination status.

The federation confirmed the decision on Monday, saying it had been taken jointly with the player and that he would not join the men’s national team this week.

“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 said in a statement.

Swiss FA president Peter Knabel backed the move and underlined the need to draw a line under the debate around the captain.

“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.

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

Nations League campaign looms

Switzerland’s schedule leaves little room for distraction. They open their Uefa Nations League campaign away to North Macedonia on Saturday, then head to Scotland on September 29.

Home comforts follow. On October 3 and 6, the Swiss will host Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne, fixtures that could shape the group long before the final matchday.

By then, the Xhaka issue may have moved on. Or it may not.

“At the end of this international window we will reassess the situation with Granit and discuss the next steps,” Knabel said, making clear that the door has not been closed on the midfielder.

Switzerland are then due to meet Slovenia again on November 13 and Scotland on November 16, also in the Nations League. By that stage, the team will need clarity: is their long-time leader back in the fold, or are they preparing for a future without him?