Switzerland forward Breel Embolo applied for an urgent visa at the U.S. embassy in Bern on Wednesday, just a day after being denied boarding the team’s flight to the World Cup due to a criminal conviction.
The Swiss soccer federation confirmed at the team’s training camp in San Diego that Embolo’s travel approval to the U.S. was under review, following a conviction that became final this year.
Embolo faced charges stemming from an incident in Basel city center in 2018, with the guilty verdict confirmed upon appeal in September. The ruling was finalized in April, just weeks before Embolo’s planned travel to the U.S. for his third World Cup.
The Swiss soccer association stated, “The embassy’s inquiries concentrated on whether any physical violence was involved, which was not the case. Breel and the team are now waiting for approval so he can travel to San Diego and join the squad as soon as possible.”
Switzerland’s World Cup campaign kicks off on June 13 against Qatar at the San Francisco 49ers’ venue in Santa Clara.
Following that, the Swiss will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Inglewood, California, before concluding Group B against co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 24.
Embolo, 29, is anticipated to be Switzerland’s primary striker, having netted 24 goals in 86 international appearances.