Ololade Adeyanju/
Switzerland international, Breel Embolo, was dramatically prevented from travelling to the United States with his national teammates on Tuesday.
His entry authorisation was reportedly placed under sudden review by US authorities just minutes before departure.
The 29-year-old striker, who was due to join Switzerland’s World Cup preparation camp in the United States, was stopped from boarding the team flight despite having previously received approval under the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), according to the Swiss Football Federation.
The Swiss Football Federation confirmed the last-minute disruption, describing the development as an unexpected administrative escalation.
“In the morning of departure, US authorities informed us that Breel Embolo’s authorisation required further review. As a result, he could not board the flight with the team,” the federation said.
The squad had already begun boarding procedures when Embolo was informed he would not be permitted to travel, in what Swiss media have described as a major disruption to the team’s planned preparations.
Officials stressed that the issue does not amount to a permanent ban on the player entering the United States, but rather a temporary suspension pending further checks by US immigration authorities.
Reports in Switzerland indicate the review is linked to a previous legal case involving the forward.
Embolo was convicted in 2023 over an incident dating back to 2018, involving threats, and received a suspended financial penalty.
Following legal proceedings and appeals, the judgment became final, which is now understood to have triggered additional scrutiny of his travel eligibility.
While some reports have described the development as a “ban”, the Swiss Football Federation insists Embolo has previously travelled to the United States without any difficulties and expects the matter to be resolved quickly.
The federation said it remains in contact with US authorities and is hopeful the striker will be able to join the squad within days, minimising disruption to Switzerland’s World Cup preparations.
Embolo, one of Switzerland’s most experienced forwards, has been a key figure in recent international tournaments and is widely regarded as central to the team’s attacking plans.
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