Sport4 min(s) read
Published 14:50 03 Jun 2026 GMT
Switzerland has been dealt a huge blow just one week before the World Cup kicks off, as their star striker has been denied travel to the USA.
Breel Donald Embolo could not make his way to the nation's camp in San Diego, CA, as his teammates flew from Zurich Airport to LAX on Tuesday (June 2).
The 29-year-old striker was selected to represent his country for the third time at a World Cup, as it was revealed that his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) was 'placed under further review' by American authorities.
An ESTA is the system that determines someone’s eligibility to enter the US, which is required for non-nationals looking to enter the country.
No further explanation has been provided, leaving Embolo in limbo as his journey to the 2026 World Cup has been delayed.
Now, the Swiss FA has released a statement on the situation.
The Swiss football federation stated: "Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team."
“His ESTA authorisation had been approved until this morning. However, at 10:30 a.m., we were informed that his ESTA application had been placed under further review.”
However, they remain hopeful that the situation will be resolved in time for camp.
"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,” they concluded.
Embolo was originally born in Cameroon and moved to Switzerland with his family at the age of six, but his ESTA issues are believed to have stemmed from a criminal case from three years ago in his home nation.
The 2023 conviction was received by the forward after he was found guilty of making multiple threats, as he was also given a suspended fine following an altercation back in 2018.
The most bizarre aspect of this situation is that Embolo played in a friendly against the US, who were on home soil, back in June 2025, where his side emerged 4-0 victors as he scored one of the goals.
Taking to X, the in-the-know @TobyWrites explained why Embolo was banned from entering the US, confirming that he required an ESTA for "short stays (up to 90 days) in the US."
Speaking specifically about his visit to the US last year, the user added: "When he came, he already had an appeal ongoing, and that was in court, so I guess that's why his ESTA was approved, because there was a chance that the Appeal court could overturn the judgement.
"The difference now is that the Appeal Court has thrown out his appeal and maintained the judgement he was given initially. They did this in September, last year.
"His judgement was in April this year. This means that he has a criminal record. So think of it as USA doing extra checks for a criminal. That's simply what's happening."
The ex-Monaco frontman played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, scoring twice in the latter, even bagging the winner against Cameroon, the country of his birth.
Embolo has netted 24 goals in 86 caps for Switzerland.
The Swiss national team kicks off their World Cup campaign against Qatar at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 13.
They then face Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Los Angeles Stadium, before rounding off the group stages with a clash at Vancouver's BC Place against co-hosts Canada.
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Marvin Keller and Yvon Mvogo.
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Aurele Amenda, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Luca Jaquez, Miro Muheim, Ricardo Rodriguez and Silvan Widmer.
Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Christian Fassnacht, Remo Freuler, Cedric Itten, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder, Djibril Sow, Granit Xhaka and Denis Zakaria (midfielders).
Forwards: Zeki Amdouni, Breel Embolo, Johan Manzambi, Dan Ndoye, Noah Okafor and Ruben Vargas (forwards).
