Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was unable to fly with the team to the United States for the World Cup after his ESTA was placed under further review, leaving the federation scrambling ahead of a planned departure from Zurich for Los Angeles and a training ca
Zurich was supposed to be the launchpad on Tuesday. Instead, the departure to Los Angeles never took off for Breel Embolo.
The Switzerland soccer federation confirmed that the forward was delayed flying to the United States for the World Cup because his travel documents were still under review. In a statement. the federation said Embolo was “currently unable to travel to the United States with the team. ” with his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) “no longer approved.”.
Switzerland were scheduled to fly from Zurich around lunchtime local time on Tuesday. before heading to a World Cup training camp in San Diego. But the day’s plan was interrupted when. the federation said. “at 10:30 a.m. we were informed that his ESTA application had been placed under further review. ” without offering any further explanation.
The concern now is whether Embolo can rejoin quickly enough to keep his role intact in a tournament where he is expected to be Switzerland’s first-choice striker. Embolo, 29, has scored 24 goals in 86 internationals, a record that has earned him that trust.
It is unclear what specifically is worrying U.S. authorities. The federation’s statement does not detail the basis for the review, but the uncertainty comes against a backdrop that includes previous problems with authorities in Germany and Switzerland around the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Embolo was disciplined by his then-club Borussia Mönchengladbach for attending a party with friends during a lockdown. In 2024, he was linked to a criminal case in Basel for buying forged test certificates in 2021.
Switzerland are trying to keep the situation contained. The federation said 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.”
The timeline matters because Embolo has already traveled with the Swiss squad to the United States once before, for friendlies against World Cup co-hosts Mexico and the U.S. One year ago, Switzerland beat Mexico 4-2 in Salt Lake City and then defeated the United States 4-0 in Nashville.
With the World Cup coming, the question for Switzerland is simple: will Embolo arrive in time to be fully integrated into the group phase preparations.
Switzerland are scheduled to start their campaign in a group that includes co-host Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar, with the team looking favoured to advance.
Breel Embolo Switzerland World Cup ESTA U.S. travel authorization Zurich Los Angeles San Diego training camp Borussia Mönchengladbach Basel criminal case Canada Bosnia-Herzegovina Qatar
So his ESTA got denied or what? Seems like they could’ve figured that out way earlier.
I’m confused how an ESTA would be “under further review” last minute like that. Also why does it say “no longer approved” but then they expect him to join later today? Either it’s approved or it isn’t.
This whole thing sounds like one of those COVID-era things still haunting people. Like because of Germany/Switzerland past issues, the US is just not letting him in. And if he can’t travel, that’s gonna mess up the striker role, but won’t FIFA just swap someone? Idk how any of this works.
ESTA is travel authorization right? So he applied and then it just mysteriously stalled?? If he had forged test certificates (wait what), then yeah I guess US authorities would be worried. But the article also talks about a lockdown party like that’s related to US entry which… sounds like a stretch. Either way Switzerland needs to stop procrastinating, he should’ve been on that plane already.