Italy’s repechage to World Cup, new snag: bureaucratic headache at home in Switzerland

Nine days before the start of the World Cup, Switzerland also has to deal with an unforeseen setback that complicates its march to the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. In fact, the Swiss national team has left for training camp in the United States without Breel Embolo, who is still waiting for the administrative authorization needed to enter the United States.

The Rennes striker, a key element in coach Yakin’s chessboard, “cannot travel with the team at this time,” as the Swiss Football Federation informed shortly before the delegation took off for Los Angeles. The problem involves Esta, the automated system that allows visa-exempt travelers to enter the U.S.: Embolo’s application appears to be pending, although currently “under review.”

The federation offered no explanation for what is happening but maintains cautious optimism, claiming Embolo is nonetheless ready to leave as soon as possible to join his teammates well before the start of a World Cup that sees Switzerland face, in Group B, Qatar in Santa Clara on June 13, Bosnia-Herzegovina in Inglewood on the 18th and Canada in Vancouver on the 24th.

The hiccup regarding Embolo was unexpected, however, and came at a time when several national teams are facing logistical or administrative difficulties related to entering the United States. And while the overall picture is becoming more complex, in the background (without forcing, but inescapably) remains the issue of Italy’s repechage, fueled in recent days by a series of anomalous situations involving multiple federations: from Iran to the Democratic Republic of Congo, via South Africa.

Switzerland, for now, trusts that the Embolo case will be resolved quickly. But the countdown to the World Cup continues to tick, and each new setback contributes to making the climate even more incandescent.