Jakarta, ThedailyID — Switzerland suffered a major setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after star striker Breel Embolo was unable to travel to the United States due to an issue with his travel authorization.
The Swiss Football Association (ASF) confirmed that Embolo did not join the squad on its flight to Los Angeles on Tuesday. The team later continued its journey to its training base in San Diego.
According to ASF, Embolo’s ESTA authorization was placed under additional review by US authorities shortly before the team’s departure. ESTA allows eligible travelers to enter the United States without obtaining a visa.
The federation said Embolo’s travel authorization remained valid until Tuesday morning. However, officials received notice around 10:30 a.m. local time that the document required further examination.
Reports suggest the issue may be linked to a legal case involving the striker in Switzerland. In 2023, a Swiss court found Embolo guilty of making threats in connection with an incident that occurred in 2018. The court imposed a suspended fine, and the verdict remained in place after an appeal was rejected.
Despite the setback, ASF remains optimistic that the situation can be resolved quickly. Federation officials hope Embolo will be able to join the squad within the next few days.
The 29-year-old forward plays for Stade Rennais and remains one of Switzerland’s most important attacking players. He has scored more than 20 goals for the national team and previously represented the country at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Moreover, Embolo recently scored in Switzerland’s 4-1 friendly victory over Jordan, underlining his importance ahead of the tournament.
Switzerland will compete in Group B at the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar. The team is scheduled to begin its campaign later this month.
