Football NewsBBC SportUnverified source· 27 Sept 2026
Switzerland shrug off Xhaka and Embolo absences before Scotland trip
Switzerland say they coped well without two key men, and a 3-0 win in Skopje backs that up.
Switzerland
team
Result
Switzerland 3-0 North Macedonia
Scorers
Freuler, Amdouni
Absent
Xhaka, Embolo
Next
Scotland at Hampden
What happened. Switzerland beat North Macedonia 3-0 in their Nations League opener despite missing captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo. They now head to Hampden to face Scotland without the pair, who will also miss the next two matches.
- Xhaka was omitted after reportedly confessing to using a fake Covid vaccination certificate and is under investigation by Swiss prosecutors.
- Embolo told the Swiss FA about a private matter that became public and will not join the squad in Glasgow.
- Remo Freuler and Zeki Amdouni scored in Skopje as Switzerland compensated for the absences.
“The national team will complete its current training camp without him”
— Swiss FA
Switzerland face Scotland at Hampden next, then host Slovenia and travel to North Macedonia without their captain and key striker.
In this story
ScotlandMore to read
BBC Sport
You are the Scotland boss - what would you change for Switzerland?
BBC Sport
Podcast: What challenges will Swiss pose Scots in Nations League?
Mirror Football
England to play two of seven Euro 2028 matches away from Wembley in best-case scenario
Sky Sports
Alvarez scores extra-time stunner as Argentina set up blockbuster semi vs England
