Visa approved: Breel Embolo cleared to join national team in USA

Swiss national team striker Breel Embolo can finally travel to the United States after his visa was approved by U.S. authorities, the Swiss Football Federation announced.

Embolo is scheduled to fly to San Diego on Friday, several days after the team's departure. He will join his teammates there to prepare for upcoming matches. However, due to the delay, his participation in the final test game against Australia is still in doubt. The situation had caused significant stress for the Swiss Football Federation (SFV) throughout the past week.

The 29-year-old striker for AS Monaco had been waiting in Switzerland since the team left for California. His electronic travel authorization (ESTA) had become invalid just before their departure, preventing him from entering the U.S. He submitted an urgent visa application at the U.S. Embassy in Bern on Wednesday, presenting necessary documents, including those related to a 2018 conviction. The SFV had hoped for a swift approval, but the time difference between Switzerland and the U.S. complicated the process, with limited hours available for direct communication between the embassy and U.S. authorities each day.