Swiss soccer forward Breel Embolo is currently navigating visa challenges as he attempts to join his national team in the United States for the upcoming World Cup. Embolo visited the U.S. embassy in Bern on Wednesday to apply for an urgent visa after being denied boarding his flight to the U.S. due to a criminal conviction.

The Swiss soccer federation, stationed at their training camp in San Diego, confirmed that Embolo’s travel approval was under review because of a conviction that became binding earlier this year. The 29-year-old player was involved in an altercation in Basel city center in 2018, and his guilty verdict was upheld last September, becoming finalized in April.

According to the Swiss soccer body, the embassy’s inquiries focused on whether any physical violence was involved in the incident, which was not the case. Embolo and his team are now awaiting the necessary approval so he can travel to San Diego and join the squad as they prepare for the World Cup.

Switzerland is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Qatar at the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium in Santa Clara. Following this, they will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Inglewood, California, and conclude Group B against co-host Canada in Vancouver on June 24.

Embolo, who has scored 24 goals in 86 international appearances, is expected to be Switzerland’s first-choice striker for the tournament. His participation is crucial for the Swiss team as they aim to make a strong impact in the World Cup.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.