SOCCER: Switzerland's Embolo awaiting clearance to travel to US after visa submission

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo is still awaiting clearance to travel to the United States after attending an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Bern on Wednesday to submit his visa application, the Swiss football federation said.

Embolo missed the team’s departure to California on Tuesday after his ESTA travel authorization was placed under further review just hours before the squad was scheduled to board its flight to Los Angeles.

“The Embassy informed us that the application is being processed as a priority,” the federation said in a statement on Wednesday. “Breel and the team are now awaiting approval so that he can travel to San Diego and join the squad as soon as possible.”

The issue is linked to a legal case stemming from a 2018 altercation in Basel. The Stade Rennais striker was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats and was given a suspended fine, a ruling later upheld on appeal.

The federation said U.S. authorities requested court documents related to the case after learning that the judgment had become final and legally binding earlier this year.

“The Embassy’s inquiries focused specifically on whether any physical violence had been involved. This was not the case,” the federation added.

According to the Swiss federation, all ESTA applications, including Embolo’s, were initially marked as approved before U.S. authorities requested additional checks roughly two and a half hours before departure.

“The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws,” said Lauren Bis, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in a statement to Reuters.

“Under the Visa Waiver Program, all ESTA applications are continuously vetted against law enforcement and security databases. Travelers must provide complete and truthful information, including all criminal history.

“Failure to disclose arrests or convictions constitutes misrepresentation and can lead to ESTA denial, revocation, or a permanent bar from entering the United States. An approved ESTA does not guarantee admission. Individuals ineligible for the VWP due to criminal convictions or misrepresentation must apply for a visa.”

A Swiss team spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday that Embolo had previously traveled to the United States with the national team in June 2025 for matches against Mexico and the United States without any issues.

Switzerland are in World Cup Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Bosnia and Qatar. They will open their campaign against Qatar on June 13 in San Francisco.

-Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis / Reuters