Switzerland striker Breel Embolo applied for an emergency visa at the United States embassy in Bern on Wednesday, a day after he was denied a flight with the team to the World Cup due to a criminal conviction.
Embolo has a penalty that became mandatory this year.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeEmbolo was accused of being involved in a brawl in Basel in 2018 and his guilty verdict was upheld on appeal last week. The decision was finalised in April, just weeks before Embolo was due to travel to the United States for his third World Cup.
"The embassy's investigations focused specifically on whether he was involved in physical violence. This was not the case," the Swiss Football Federation said. "Breel and the team are now awaiting approval so that he can travel to San Diego and join the team as soon as possible."
Switzerland begins its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Qatar.
The Swiss then play against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while they conclude the group stage with a match against Canada on June 24.
Embolo, 29, is expected to be Switzerland's leading striker. He has scored 24 goals in 86 matches.