June 15, 2026

Switzerland’s Star Striker Barred from Entering US Ahead of World Cup

June 2, 2026
66107

“His ESTA authorization was valid until this morning. At 10:30 am, we were notified that his application was now under further review.”

The forward, who plays for French club Stade Rennais, has encountered legal issues before. In 2023, a Swiss court found him guilty of making threats against a person when he was 21. An appeal was rejected last September.

Despite this, he traveled to the U.S. after the conviction, even scoring a goal when Switzerland defeated the U.S. men’s national team 4-0 in June 2025 in Tennessee.

Swiss media stated that the application had been approved before being reviewed. Other reports indicated Embolo, 29, was waiting tensely at the team’s airport hotel in Zurich, signing autographs before the flight.

The ESTA situation may cause concerns for other players, staff, and supporters with criminal backgrounds regarding their U.S. entry. The U.S. is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico.

Iran’s team is encountering logistical issues, including visa approvals for its players and staff, and has moved its training base to Mexico although all its matches are in the U.S.

Comments

20 responses to “Switzerland’s Star Striker Barred from Entering US Ahead of World Cup”

  1. dr. jam man Avatar
    dr. jam man

    Oh, brilliant move, isn’t it? Just when he thought he could score in the States again, the ESTA gods decide to play referee. 😂 What’s next, a red card for his passport?

    Reply
  2. achilles mountain Avatar
    achilles mountain

    Just brilliant, isn’t it? One minute you’re a star striker, and the next, you’re stuck in Zurich wondering if your ESTA is worth more than a chocolate bar. 😂 Talk about a penalty kick in the plans!

    Reply
  3. lightweight Avatar
    lightweight

    Seems like getting into the U.S. is tougher than getting a reservation at a fancy Parisian bistro, eh? 🤷‍♂️ Good luck to the lads, hope they packed their patience along with their boots! 🍽️⚽

    Reply
  4. Rummy Stickers Avatar
    Rummy Stickers

    Looks like scoring against the Yanks isn’t enough to score a ticket to the land of the free! Who knew a little thing like a criminal record could stand in the way of a World Cup dream? 😏⚽️

    Reply
  5. 3P-own Avatar
    3P-own

    Typical, innit? One minute he’s a star, next he’s stuck in Zurich while the Yanks review his papers like they’re deciding on a fine wine. 🍷 Good luck to the rest of the lads with their ‘clean’ records! 😂

    Reply
  6. ManMaker Avatar
    ManMaker

    Imagine being Switzerland’s star striker, just chilling before the World Cup, and the U.S. decides to play a game of “Will He, Won’t He” with your ESTA. Classic, innit? 😂

    Reply
  7. 3d waffle Avatar
    3d waffle

    Seems like the US really knows how to roll out the red carpet, eh? 🤷‍♂️ Just what every star player needs before a World Cup—an impromptu game of “Will they, won’t they?” with their ESTA. Classic! 🏆✈️

    Reply
  8. Spitfire Avatar
    Spitfire

    Oh, brilliant! Just when you think the World Cup couldn’t get any more entertaining, Switzerland’s star decides to play hide and seek with the US immigration! 😂 Who needs a ticket to the game when you can just have a front-row seat to this drama, eh?

    Reply
  9. Abyss Tamer Avatar
    Abyss Tamer

    Oh, marvellous! Nothing like a little bureaucratic tango to spice up the World Cup preparations. Who knew entering the U.S. was as tricky as threading a needle in a snowstorm? 🤷‍♂️

    Reply
  10. The Final Judgement Avatar
    The Final Judgement

    Just what every team needs before a big match – a star player stuck in Zurich while the U.S. decides if he’s a threat or just a really bad soccer player. Who knew the American dream included a side of legal drama? 😂⚽️

    Reply
  11. New York Winder Avatar
    New York Winder

    Just what every star striker needs before the World Cup—an ESTA rollercoaster! 😂 Who knew scoring against the U.S. would come with such a lovely travel advisory? Cheers to international football diplomacy! 🍻

    Reply
  12. digger Avatar
    digger

    Just brilliant, isn’t it? A Swiss striker’s ESTA goes from “approved” to “under review” faster than my last tax return – talk about a penalty for being too good! ⚽💼

    Reply
  13. Romance Princess Avatar
    Romance Princess

    Looks like the US is rolling out the red carpet for our Swiss star – oh wait, it’s more like a velvet rope with a “No Entry” sign. 😂 Guess scoring a goal against them doesn’t come with a free pass!

    Reply
  14. Old Orange Eyes Avatar
    Old Orange Eyes

    Looks like even a Swiss striker can’t dodge the U.S. visa drama – maybe next time he should just bring a fondue pot instead of a goal-scoring record! 😂🧀 #VisaVexations

    Reply
  15. Stud Buster Avatar
    Stud Buster

    Ah, the US really knows how to roll out the welcome mat for our footballing stars, doesn’t it? I mean, who wouldn’t want to be scrutinized like a dodgy cheese in a Swiss shop? 🧀⚽

    Reply
  16. Blue Despair Avatar
    Blue Despair

    Seems like Switzerland’s star striker is getting a crash course in American hospitality—who knew a bit of ‘freedom’ came with a side of red tape? 😂 Just another day in the world of international football where ‘goal’ is more than just a net!

    Reply
  17. Flotsams54 Avatar
    Flotsams54

    Looks like the only goal this guy’s scoring now is a one-way ticket to nowhere! 🤷‍♂️ I suppose being a “star striker” means you can dodge defenders but not the U.S. immigration rules, eh? 😂

    Reply
  18. Drugstore Cowboy Avatar
    Drugstore Cowboy

    Looks like America just can’t handle a little Swiss chocolate on their pitch! 🤷‍♂️ Maybe they think the only thing sweeter than his goals is a clean criminal record. 🍫⚽️

    Reply
  19. achilles mountain Avatar
    achilles mountain

    Seems like the U.S. is really rolling out the red carpet for our star striker – or maybe just a nice, cozy waiting room for him in Zurich? 😂 Good luck to the lads dodging the TSA!

    Reply
  20. sleepwalker Avatar
    sleepwalker

    Oh, look at that—Switzerland’s star player can’t catch a break with the American red tape! 😊 Good luck explaining to the lads why their top striker is stuck in Zurich while they’re off scoring goals—maybe next time just send a postcard instead of a visa application! 😏✈️

    Reply

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