Breel Embolo’s trip to the United States for Switzerland’s World Cup plans was halted after his ESTA was placed under further review, leaving the striker stuck at the airport as the squad prepared to depart Zurich for Los Angeles. Swiss officials say they expe
Breel Embolo was set to board the flight out of Zurich for the United States, but an abrupt visa U-turn turned the airport waiting time into a delay that could change the start of his World Cup preparation.
Switzerland’s soccer federation confirmed that Embolo was “currently unable to travel to the United States with the team” after his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) was no longer approved. The Swiss squad were due to fly from Zurich around lunchtime local time on Tuesday. heading to Los Angeles before moving to a World Cup training camp in San Diego.
At 10:30 am, Swiss federation officials said they were informed that Embolo’s ESTA application had been placed under further review. In the hours that followed, the immediate question for the striker and his teammates was simple: would he be allowed to join the group before the plane took off?
The federation said it is “in contact with the relevant authorities” and expects Embolo will either join the team later today (Tuesday) or travel tomorrow and join the squad then. The reason Embolo’s travel documents were under review was not disclosed. and it remains unclear why the United States is raising concerns about the 29-year-old.
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, previously explained that security vetting is part of the process for all involved with teams.
Giuliani said that “with all these countries. we do security vets on players. coaches. support staff around the team. ” adding that “they need to clear those security vets as well – each visa decision is a national security decision. We want to make sure, first and foremost, that it’s a safe event. That will make it successful.”.
For Embolo, the timing is especially jarring. His profile has included several clashes with authorities across Germany and Switzerland, particularly around the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021. while playing for Borussia Monchengladbach. he was disciplined by the German club for attending a party with friends during a lockdown. and he was reportedly hiding in a bathtub when police arrived.
Two years later, Embolo was fined for making threats during a 5am street altercation back in 2018. In 2024, he was linked in a criminal case in Switzerland to buying forged test certificates in 2021.
This is the third World Cup where Embolo is set to be Switzerland’s first-choice striker. He has scored 24 goals in 86 internationals.
Switzerland has been drawn in a group alongside co-hosts Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar—placing immediate importance on any interruption to the rhythm of a team that needs its top marksman fully in place early.
By the time the Swiss squad were scheduled to depart Zurich. Embolo’s World Cup journey had already run into a bureaucratic wall. The federation’s message is still the same: he is not traveling with the team at the moment. but officials expect him to join either later on Tuesday or on Monday instead—after the ESTA review reaches a decision.
The Daily Mail contacted FIFA and the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Breel Embolo ESTA visa issues Switzerland World Cup 2026 Zurich airport Los Angeles San Diego training camp Canada Bosnia-Herzegovina Qatar World Cup co-hosts White House World Cup Task Force Andrew Giuliani