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The forward did not travel with the rest of Switzerland’s squad on Tuesday because his ESTA travel authorisation was queried hours before departure.
“We have just been informed that Breel Embolo’s visa has been approved,” read a statement from the Swiss football federation.
“He will therefore be able to travel to the United States. He is expected to join the team on Friday evening.”
US authorities requested additional checks regarding a legal case involving Embolo, relating to a 2018 altercation in Basel.
The Swiss football federation revealed that US officials sought court documents after learning that the 29-year-old had been convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats, for which he was handed a suspended fine.
Embolo attended an appointment at the US embassy in the Swiss capital of Bern on Wednesday before being granted approval.
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Embolo has scored 23 goals in 85 Switzerland appearances, and is set to play at his third World Cup.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach and Monaco striker currently plays his club football for French side Rennes, for whom he scored 10 goals across all competitions in 2025/26.
His most recent goal on the international stage came in a 4-3 friendly defeat to Germany in March.
Switzerland play Australia in a warm-up game at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Saturday. It remains to be seen if Embolo will be involved in that match after his late arrival.
Murat Yakin’s side then prepare for their first group match of the World Cup, against Qatar on Saturday, June 13.
They also play Bosnia and Herzegovina and co-hosts Canada as they look to navigate Group B and progress to the knockout stages for a fourth successive time at the World Cup.
Switzerland have not made it beyond the round of 16 since 1954, though, when they hosted the tournament and reached the quarter-finals.
When does the World Cup start?
The World Cup gets underway on Thursday, June 11. Co-hosts Mexico will meet South Africa in Mexico City with kick-off at 20:00 UK time.
Before the game, the opening ceremony will take place at Estadio Azteca.
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Colombian artist J Balvin and South African singer Tyla will perform, with the ceremony beginning approximately 90 minutes before kick-off.
Canada’s first game of the World Cup is against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday, June 12, while the USA play their first match against Paraguay on Saturday, June 13.
When do the knockout rounds start?
The round of 32 begins on June 28, in Los Angeles, before the round of 16 gets underway on July 4.
The quarter-finals start on July 9 in Boston, and the semi-finals will be played on July 14-15.
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