Swiss striker Embolo heads to the US embassy for a last-minute World Cup visa after being denied travel

Swiss forward Breel Embolo applied for an urgent visa at the US Embassy in Bern on Wednesday, a day after he was denied boarding on the team’s flight to the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a criminal conviction.

The Swiss Football Federation confirmed at the team’s training camp in San Diego why Embolo’s travel approval to the US was reviewed on Tuesday. He has a conviction that became binding this year.

Embolo was charged after an altercation in central Basel in 2018 and his guilty verdict was upheld on appeal last September. The verdict was finalized in April, just weeks before Embolo was due to travel to the US for the third World Cup of his career.

«The embassy’s investigation focused specifically on whether there was physical violence. This was not the case,» the Swiss Football Association said. “Breel and the team are now awaiting approval so he can travel to San Diego and join the team as soon as possible.”

READ ALSO:Yamal and Williams fit for World Cup opener: Spain coach De la Fuente

Switzerland starts its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Qatar at the San Francisco 49ers stadium in Santa Clara.

The Swiss next play Bosnia-Herzegovina in Inglewood, California, before finishing in Group B against tournament co-host Canada in Vancouver on June 24.

The 29-year-old Embolo will be Switzerland’s first choice and has scored 24 goals in 86 international matches.

Published on June 3, 2026