Switzerland departed for the 2026 World Cup without forward Breel Embolo after his ESTA authorisation was placed under review. The Swiss Football Association expects him to join the squad later or the following day.
Murat Yakin’s side left for the United States on Tuesday without the 29-year-old Rennes striker. The Swiss Football Association stated that Embolo’s ESTA had been approved until that morning but was placed under further review at 10:30am. “Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team,” the association said. Officials remain in contact with authorities and anticipate Embolo will either join later that day or travel the next day. The review stems from a 2018 altercation in Basel that led to a 2023 conviction for making threats. Embolo had previously entered the United States in June 2025 for matches against the US and Mexico. Switzerland open their Group B campaign against Qatar on June 13 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
