Switzerland Calls Up In-Form Sion Forward Winsley Boteli for Nations League

After a strong start to the season, 20-year-old Winsley Boteli, forward for Sion, earned his first call-up to the Swiss national team. Switzerland, which reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup, rewarded Boteli's impressive form by naming him in their squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.

Boteli has been on fire this season, netting 12 goals in just 14 games. His standout performance came last month when he scored a hat trick against Ajax during the Conference League qualifying playoffs. His goal-scoring exploits have reportedly attracted attention from Champions League clubs such as Galatasaray and Porto.

Though born in Switzerland, Boteli has family ties to Congo. Last week, he publicly committed to representing Switzerland after being courted by the Congolese football federation, whose team made it to the World Cup round of 32.

Additional New Faces and Veterans in Squad

Swiss coach Murat Yakin also included 20-year-old Parma defender Sascha Britschgi for his first senior call-up. The 25-man roster is set for Nations League fixtures against Scotland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.

Captain Granit Xhaka returns following a strong World Cup campaign. The Sunderland midfielder will celebrate his 34th birthday the day after Switzerland’s opening Nations League game at North Macedonia on September 26.

Breel Embolo, who was controversially sent off in Switzerland’s World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Argentina, remains in the squad after recently transferring to Atlanta United in Major League Soccer.

Another young player, 21-year-old center back Zachary Athekame, also returns to the squad. On loan from AC Milan at Lyon, Athekame joins Boteli and Britschgi as new additions.

Geneva Roots Among Squad Members

Boteli and Athekame are part of a group including World Cup breakout star Johan Manzambi, Denis Zakaria, and Zeki Amdouni—all of whom spent time in the youth system at Servette in Geneva. Together, they have only played six games for Servette’s senior team. Zakaria, now captain at Monaco, appeared in those six matches during the 2014-15 Swiss second division season.

Manzambi shared a throwback photo on Instagram Thursday showing himself and Athekame as children, reflecting their shared journey.

Upcoming Matches

• September 26: Switzerland vs North Macedonia (away)
• September 29: Scotland vs Switzerland (away)
• October 2: Switzerland vs Slovenia (home, Lucerne)
• October 5: Switzerland vs North Macedonia (home, Lucerne)

Switzerland hopes to build on its World Cup momentum in these Nations League games.