A key player for Switzerland has now been cleared to travel to the US after being unable to board the team’s flight ahead of the World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, is set to get underway next week, with Mexico due to face South Africa at Mexico City’s opening match on June 11.
With countries arriving in the US in the build-up to the tournament, Switzerland initially had to travel without Breel Embolo.
Embolo, who plays club football for French side Rennes, was absent when the Swiss squad departed for the US on Tuesday (June 2) because his ESTA authorisation was flagged for additional checks.
The ESTA process is an automated system used to assess whether visitors can enter the US without applying for a traditional visa.
Before the team headed to the US, the Swiss federation explained the situation in a statement shared with the BBC: “Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team,” the Swiss federation said in a statement.
“His Esta authorisation had been approved until this morning. However, at 10:30am, we were informed that his Esta application had been placed under further review.”
Embolo then attended an appointment at the US embassy in Bern on Wednesday (June 5) in an effort to resolve the issue and join the squad for the tournament.
Swiss officials have since confirmed the forward has now been approved to travel and will meet up with the team at their base in San Diego.
The Swiss football federation said: “We have just been informed that Breel Embolo’s visa has been approved. He will therefore be able to travel to the United States. He is expected to join the team on Friday evening.”
At this stage, it has not been explained why his ESTA application was placed under review.
In 2023, Embolo received a conditional fine of $161,000 after being convicted of making threats during an incident in Basel in 2018.
He had also previously been allowed entry to the US in 2025, when Switzerland travelled to play friendly matches against the US and Mexico.
Switzerland begin their World Cup campaign against Qatar on June 13 in Santa Clara, before taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 18 in Los Angeles.
The group stage concludes with a match against co-hosts Canada on June 24, which will be played in Vancouver.