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Swiss international Breel Embolo was unable to travel to the U.S. with his teammates ahead of the FIFA World Cup due to visa issues -Credit:Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Switzerland international Breel Embolo will be absent from his national team's trip to the United States after his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was placed under review.
The Swiss Football Association confirmed the striker would miss the squad's scheduled flight on Tuesday while the matter is being addressed, casting doubt over his availability for the FIFA World Cup.
"Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team," the federation stated. It added that his ESTA authorization remained valid until Tuesday morning, but officials revealed that at 10.30am it was unexpectedly placed under additional review. The federation remains hopeful, saying: "We are currently in contact with the relevant authorities and expect that Breel will either join the team later today or travel tomorrow and join the squad then."
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Switzerland will take on co-hosts Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar in the group stage -Credit:Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images
A team spokesperson, speaking ahead of the squad's departure for Los Angeles, noted that Embolo had previously been permitted entry into the United States for international fixtures, as per The Mirror US.
Embolo's travel complications stem from a Swiss court ruling connected to an altercation in Basel in 2018, with the verdict becoming final nine months ago.
The Stade Rennais forward was convicted in 2023 of making repeated threats and handed a suspended fine. An appeals court subsequently upheld the ruling after dismissing his account of events. According to Swiss media reports in April, Embolo opted against challenging the decision before the Federal Court, effectively closing the case.
Switzerland is currently gearing up for the World Cup, where it has been placed in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Qatar. The Swiss campaign is set to kick off against Canada in Toronto on June 12.
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Embolo is not alone in facing travel complications ahead of the tournament, however, with several players encountering visa and entry-related hurdles.
South Africa's squad had to postpone its departure to the United States on Sunday due to unresolved visa complications, before eventually making the trip on Monday once the matter was resolved.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie took to X, branding the visa "debacle" an "embarrassing" administrative blunder by team officials and demanding a formal report from the South African Football Association (SAFA). The association, which held an emergency meeting on Sunday night, issued an apology for the disruption and confirmed it had collaborated with the South African Foreign Ministry and the US Consulate in Johannesburg to address the situation.
Players from the Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, and Cape Verde national teams are still in ned of help with their travel logistics, while multiple members of Iran's World Cup roster are also waiting on visas to enter the United States. The Iranian Football Federation has voiced confidence that clearances will be granted this week, enabling players to reach America in time for the competition.
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