Switzerland forward Breel Embolo has been unable to travel with his national team to the United States for the World Cup due to a review of his travel document. The Swiss squad departed from Zurich to Los Angeles, where they will hold a training camp in San Diego ahead of their opening match against Qatar on June 13.

Travel Document Under Review

The Swiss Football Federation confirmed that Embolo's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was initially approved but was placed under further review on the morning of departure. “Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team,” the federation stated. They are in contact with the relevant authorities and anticipate that Embolo may join the squad later today or tomorrow.

Legal Background

This travel issue follows a legal ruling related to a 2018 incident in Basel, where Embolo was convicted of making multiple threats. This conviction was upheld in 2023 after an appeal, and Swiss media reported that he opted not to take the case to the Federal Court, making the ruling final.

As the Swiss team prepares for the World Cup, they hope to resolve Embolo's travel situation swiftly, ensuring that he can contribute to their campaign in the tournament.