A key player for Switzerland is set to miss the start of the World Cup after travel complications left him unable to enter the United States.
Breel Embolo was due to travel with the Swiss squad to the tournament, which will be staged across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
However, the forward has not been able to make the trip after the national team said they were informed his entry paperwork had been put back into an additional review process, despite previously being approved.
The update reportedly came shortly before the team was scheduled to depart.
“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.”
The Swiss national team also shared an image on Instagram showing the players on their plane as they headed out.
While Embolo remains grounded for now, the Swiss federation said it expects the issue to be sorted quickly so he can link up with the rest of the squad.
“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.”
In the same vein, a message shared alongside the team’s social media post suggested his absence was temporary.
“One seat empty, but not for long. See you soon Breel Embolo.”
Switzerland’s World Cup base is in San Diego. They are scheduled to play Qatar in Santa Clara on June 13, before facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Inglewood, and then Canada in Vancouver.
No official explanation has been provided for why Embolo’s authorization was moved into further review.
In 2023, Embolo received a conditional fine of roughly $161,000 after being convicted of making threats during a confrontation connected to an incident in Basel in 2018, with an appeal later rejected.
Despite that, he had been able to travel to the US in 2025 after the case concluded, when Switzerland played friendly matches against the US and Mexico.
The situation comes amid wider concern over tougher immigration enforcement under Donald Trump’s administration, including reports of visitors being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and restrictions affecting certain countries.
Advocacy organizations in the US have also issued cautions to supporters planning to travel for the competition.
“arbitrary denial of entry and risk of arrest, detention and/or deportation”.