Updated travel guidance has been highlighted for one of the key World Cup host nations this year, after a star player ran into trouble trying to enter the country.
The 2026 World Cup is set to break new ground, with three countries sharing hosting duties and welcoming players from across the world.
But the Swiss squad has faced an unexpected complication after forward Breel Embolo found his clearance to enter the United States was suddenly flagged for additional checks.
With teams beginning to coordinate travel to the US, Canada and Mexico as preparations ramp up for the expanded 48-team tournament, Switzerland believed everything was in order.
Yet although Embolo’s authorization had reportedly already been granted, the team was later told its status had changed shortly before departure.
In a statement shared with the BBC, the Swiss federation said: “Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team.
“His Esta authorization had been approved until this morning. However, at 10:30am, we were informed that his Esta application had been placed under further review.”
They added: “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.”
Following the situation, attention has turned to the main routes fans and participants can use to enter the US for the tournament.
Immigration law firm Fragomen notes that the ESTA, also known as the Visa Waiver route, can be used for World Cup-related travel where eligible.
Its website explained that ‘travelers from certain countries may not require a visa to attend the matches this summer, as the visa waiver program permits entry for up to 90 days for tourism purposes using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).’
It also cautioned that ‘country eligibility changes over time, and travelers should consult the current list of participating countries on the State Department’s travel website.’
For those who need a B1/B2 visitor visa instead, wait times for appointments can vary significantly — from a few days to over a year — meaning the process may require far more planning.
Another potential option is the FIFA Pass, described as a ‘priority-scheduling tool for individuals who purchased World Cup tickets directly through the FIFA ticketing website’. It can help eligible ticket holders access B1/B2 visa appointment scheduling.
Separately, some nations have faced entry limits tied to immigration policy changes introduced during Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
At present, four participating countries are reportedly subject to travel suspensions, according to the National Immigration Forum.
There are also restrictions to 12 in total (Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia).
Switzerland is not included in those restrictions, leaving it unclear why Embolo’s ESTA was moved into a review process.
Cameroon — where Embolo was born — is also not listed among restricted countries.
A request for comment has been sent to the US Department of State.