Swiss striker Breel Embolo barred from US World Cup travel

Switzerland’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were disrupted Tuesday when forward Breel Embolo was prevented from traveling with the national team to the United States. The Swiss Football Association announced that Embolo’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, had been placed under review just hours before the squad’s scheduled departure.

The team flew from Zurich to Los Angeles as planned, but without the 29-year-old striker. In a statement, the association said Embolo’s ESTA authorization had been approved until Tuesday morning, but officials were informed at 10:30 a.m. local time that the application was under further review. The association added it was in contact with relevant authorities and expected Embolo to join the squad either later Tuesday or on Wednesday.

The review of Embolo’s travel documents is linked to a Swiss court ruling that became final nine months ago. The Stade Rennais forward was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats related to an altercation in Basel in 2018 and was issued a suspended fine. That verdict was upheld on appeal, and Embolo elected not to take the case to Switzerland’s Federal Court. He was permitted to enter...