Switzerland faces a worrying wait to learn of striker Breel Embolo’s fate, with the attacker denied boarding on their flight to the United States due to visa problems threatening his 2026 World Cup participation.
Yesterday, Embolo travelled to the United States embassy in Bern and lodged an emergency visa application following “delays” concerning his travel documents with the American embassy.
The Swiss Football Association stated the hold-up was due to the fact that a criminal conviction had become ‘final’ earlier this year.
The Swiss striker had been part of an ongoing court case concerning an incident in Basel city center way back in 2018. With the appeal court finding him guilty of criminal coercion last September, the matter became ‘final’ in April of this year prior to Switzerland’s World Cup build-up.
Switzerland FA stated: “Embassy officials have asked questions about the beatings and whether or not there were any instances of physical violence. These requests were False,” according to Swiss FA officials.
Embolo is going through this process, and Swiss officials are hopeful that the attacker will join his teammates at their camp in San Diego shortly. Former Monaco forward Embolo has already gained 86 caps and scored 24 goals for his country.
Switzerland kick off their quest on June 13th in Santa Clara as they take on Qatar before a tie with Bosnia-Herzegovina at Inglewood and then finishing their Group B game against Canada in Vancouver on June 24th. Swiss fans will be hoping that the issue gets resolved with their striker quickly to have a perfect start to the tournament.
