Switzerland’s World Cup preparations have suffered a major setback after star striker Breel Embolo was prevented from travelling to the United States due to an unexpected visa complication.
The 29-year-old forward was unable to join the rest of Switzerland national football team as they departed for their training base in San Diego ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Swiss Football Federation, Embolo’s ESTA authorisation — the electronic travel clearance required for entry into the United States — was suddenly placed under administrative review despite previously being approved.
The issue is reportedly linked to a legal case dating back to 2018. Embolo was convicted by a Swiss court in 2023 for making multiple threats during an altercation in Basel and received a suspended fine. While he had travelled to the United States without issues in 2025, the finalisation of that legal ruling appears to have triggered fresh scrutiny from US immigration authorities.
The timing could hardly be worse for Switzerland, with Embolo expected to play a central role in coach Murat Yakin‘s plans at the World Cup.
Despite the disruption, Swiss officials remain optimistic that the situation will be resolved quickly. The federation says it is in constant contact with US authorities and expects Embolo to either join the squad later today or within the next 24 hours.
The Swiss camp has rallied around their striker, with the team’s social media accounts posting a message of support alongside an image showing an empty seat on the team plane: “One seat empty, but not for long. See you soon Breel Embolo.”
Should the issue drag on, it would represent a significant blow for Switzerland just days before the start of their World Cup campaign, with one of their most experienced attacking players still stuck on the sidelines before a ball has even been kicked.
