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A previous conviction has placed Switzerland’s leading striker Breel Embolo’s World Cup participation in jeopardy.

Earlier this week, Embolo was left out as the Swiss national team, known as ‘Die Nati’, departed for North America to begin their World Cup preparations.

The 29-year-old forward did not board the flight to the United States after his ESTA — the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation — came under review by U.S. authorities.

An ESTA is an automated pre-screening system managed by the U.S. government to assess whether a traveller qualifies for entry into the country without requiring a traditional visa.

Embolo, who has represented Switzerland at two previous World Cups and earned 85 caps for the national side, now faces uncertainty about his participation in the Finals as he is currently unable to travel.

The Swiss Football Association confirmed the situation in an official statement: “Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team.”

The statement further explained, “His ESTA authorisation had been approved until this morning. However, at 10:30 a.m., we were informed that his ESTA application had been placed under further review.”

Swiss football officials have been in contact with relevant U.S. authorities and remain optimistic that Embolo will be cleared to travel in the coming days to join the rest of the squad.

Switzerland will be based in San Diego, California, for the tournament, with two of their three Group B matches to be played in the state. Their third group match will be held in Vancouver, Canada, along the west coast of North America.

The Swiss side is scheduled to take on Australia in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Saturday, though it is still uncertain whether Embolo will be eligible to feature.

The striker was previously involved in an incident in Basel in 2018, which led to charges of making multiple threats. He was found guilty in 2023 and received a suspended fine. Despite the conviction, it had not affected his eligibility to travel until the morning of Switzerland’s planned departure.

Interestingly, Embolo was allowed entry into the United States just last year, when Switzerland played friendlies against the USMNT and Mexico.

Switzerland’s Group B opponents for the upcoming World Cup are co-hosts Canada, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.