Breel Embolo, a key striker for the Swiss national football team, has been unable to secure a visa for travel to the United States, as reported by the Swiss Football Association and cited by beinsports. The 29-year-old’s visa application was impacted by a legal matter stemming from an incident in 2018, where he was involved in a brawl that resulted in a court-imposed fine of 135,000 Swiss francs (approximately 170,000 USD).
The legal ruling was upheld following an unsuccessful appeal, with the decision taking effect in April 2026. Consequently, Embolo’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) status was flagged for additional scrutiny, preventing him from traveling to the U.S.
“Unfortunately, Breel [Embolo] is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team. His ESTA approval was granted until Tuesday, June 2. However, at 10:30 AM, we were informed that his ESTA application has been deferred for further review. We are now in contact with the relevant authorities and hope that Breel will join the team later,” stated the Swiss Football Association.
Switzerland qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in Group B, competing against Kosovo, Slovenia, and Sweden. Embolo was the top scorer for his team during the qualifiers, netting four goals.
Having participated in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Embolo has played a total of 86 matches for the national team, scoring 24 goals. In the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Switzerland will compete in Group B alongside Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the host nation, Canada. Their first match is scheduled against Qatar on Saturday, June 13, at 10:00 PM Kyiv time.
Breel Embolo, a prominent Swiss footballer, has been denied a U.S. visa due to legal complications from a past incident. This development raises concerns about his participation in the upcoming World Cup.