Switzerland departs for World Cup without Embolo after US travel document placed under review
Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was left stranded at Zurich airport on Tuesday when U.S. authorities placed his travel authorization under further review hours before the team's flight to a World Cup training camp in California.
Last-minute travel block
The Swiss national team departed from Zurich for Los Angeles on Tuesday without their first-choice striker, Breel Embolo. The 29-year-old had been set to board the plane, but shortly before departure the Swiss football federation was alerted that his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was no longer valid. The federation said the ESTA had been approved earlier that morning. At 10:30 a.m. local time, they were informed it had been placed under further review, preventing Embolo from entering the United States. He did not appear in the team's pre-flight photo at the airport.
Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team.
Federation expects quick resolution
The Swiss federation expressed optimism. "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," the statement read. An ESTA is an automated system that determines eligibility for visitors under the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. authorities retain the right to re-examine any application at any time. A member of the travel agency organizing the Swiss delegation's trip was assisting Embolo with the process.
Legal history in Switzerland
The reason for the U.S. review is unclear, but Embolo has had past legal entanglements. A Swiss court ruling linked to a 2018 altercation in Basel became final nine months ago. He was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats and given a suspended fine; an appeal was rejected. Swiss media reported in April that he decided not to go to the Federal Court, cementing the judgment. In 2021, while at Borussia Mönchengladbach, he was disciplined for attending a party during a COVID-19 lockdown, and in 2024 he was linked to a case involving forged test certificates.
- Swiss court finalizes Embolo's conviction for 2018 threats
- Swiss federation informed ESTA under further review
- Switzerland team departs Zurich for Los Angeles without Embolo
World Cup context
Switzerland will start its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Qatar in San Francisco, with further Group B matches against co-host Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The squad will train in San Diego and play a final friendly against Australia on Saturday. Embolo, who has scored 24 goals in 86 international appearances, is expected to be the team's main striker at his third World Cup. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
