Breel Embolo will join up with the Switzerland squad for the 2026 World Cup after an issue with his ESTA was resolved.
Embolo was unable to travel with the team to the United States on Tuesday after learning that his (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) was no longer approved.
The ESTA is an automated system that determines if a foreign visitor can enter the US without a traditional visa. Embolo’s was placed under further review, with that decision linked to a ruling by a Swiss court over an altercation involving the 29-year-old in Basel in 2018.
He was convicted of making multiple threats and issued with a suspended fine in the 2023 verdict, which was upheld on appeal. Embolo elected not to take the case to federal court.
However, the Swiss Football Association (ASF-SFV) confirmed on Friday that Embolo had been cleared to travel to the US.
“We have just been informed that Breel Embolo’s visa has been approved. He will therefore be able to travel to the United States. He is expected to join the team on Friday evening,” the ASF-SFV said in a statement.
Murat Yakin’s side face Australia in their final World Cup warm-up game on Saturday in San Diego.
Switzerland have been drawn in Group B and will be the heavy favourites to win the group. They face Qatar in their opening fixture in the San Francisco Bay Area on June 13. They will then meet Bosnia-Herzegovina in Los Angeles before taking on co-hosts Canada in Vancouver.
Rennes forward Embolo, who has previously had spells with Schalke, Borussia Monchengladbach and Monaco, has been capped 85 times by Switzerland, scoring 23 goals. He appeared at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
