Breel Embolo Delayed From Joining Switzerland FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad As US Reviews Travel Document

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was delayed in flying to the United States for the World Cup on Tuesday because his travel documents were under review.

“Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team,” the Swiss soccer federation said, saying his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) was no longer approved.

The Swiss were due to fly from Zurich around lunchtime local time on Tuesday to Los Angeles before going to a World Cup training camp in San Diego.

It is the third World Cup where Embolo is set to be Switzerland’s first-choice striker, after 24 goals in 86 internationals.

“However, at 10:30 a.m., we were informed that his ESTA application had been placed under further review,” the Swiss federation said without elaborating.

It is unclear why the U.S. has concerns about 29-year-old Embolo, who had previous issues with authorities in Germany and Switzerland around the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was disciplined in 2021 by his then-club Borussia Mönchengladbach for attending a party with friends during a lockdown. In 2024, he was linked in a criminal case in Basel to buying forged test certificates in 2021.

The Swiss federation said on Tuesday it was “in contact with the relevant authorities and expects that Breel will either join the team later today (Tuesday) or travel tomorrow and join the squad then.”

Switzerland looks favored to advance from a World Cup group including co-host Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Qatar.