Embolo was Switzerland’s first-choice forward, scoring 24 goals in 86 international games, but was unable to make the team.
Published June 2, 2026
Switzerland forward Breel Embolo has not traveled to the United States with the rest of the World Cup squad as his travel documents are pending.
This document, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), is an automated system that determines a visitor’s eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
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The Swiss team flew from Zurich to Los Angeles on Tuesday before heading to a World Cup training camp in San Diego. The opening game of Group B will be against Qatar in San Francisco on June 13th.
“Unfortunately, Bril Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with his team,” the Swiss federation said in a statement about the first-choice forward, who has scored 24 of his 86 international goals.
“His ESTA authorization had been approved until this morning. However, at 10:30am (08:30 GMT), we were informed that his ESTA application had been placed under further review.”
“We are currently in contact with the relevant authorities and expect Briel to either join the team later today or travel tomorrow and join the team at that time.”
Mr Embolo’s troubles arose after a Swiss court’s judgment related to the 2018 Basel spat was finalized nine months ago.
The Stade Rennais striker was convicted of multiple threats in 2023 and given a suspended fine, but the verdict was upheld on appeal after the judge rejected his version of events.
Swiss media reported in April that Embolo had decided not to take the case to federal court and that the verdict had become final.
