Swiss Striker Embolo Delayed for World Cup Over U.S. Visa Check

The Swiss national football team has traveled to the World Cup venue without striker Breel Embolo, who is facing a delay in joining the squad due to his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) permit undergoing additional verification by U.S. authorities.

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) confirmed they are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining constant communication with the 29-year-old player and the relevant bodies. They anticipate Embolo's arrival in the United States no later than Wednesday.

Embolo's ESTA permit is undergoing a secondary review, a process that checks an individual's eligibility and rights for visa-free entry into the U.S. While the exact reasons for this additional scrutiny remain unclear, the article notes two incidents from the COVID-19 pandemic that brought Embolo into the public eye. In 2021, he was disciplined for attending a private party despite existing restrictions, and three years later, his name appeared in an investigation concerning the purchase of falsified coronavirus test certificates.

It is not confirmed whether these past events are linked to the current ESTA review. Embolo, who currently plays for Rennes, has represented Switzerland 85 times, scoring 23 goals. Switzerland is drawn in Group B for the World Cup, alongside Canada, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.