Johan Manzambi is on the verge of being selected for Switzerland's 2026 World Cup squad. The Freiburg midfielder has been called up for every Swiss squad since June 2025 by coach Murat Yakin. With just weeks until the tournament begins, the 20-year-old spoke to FIFA about his remarkable journey.
Manzambi's path to the World Cup has been nothing short of extraordinary. Just ten years ago, he was a young boy wandering through fan zones following Switzerland at Euro 2016. Born in Geneva, he initially watched World Cups without supporting any particular team before becoming a devoted follower of the Swiss national team while harboring dreams of one day representing his country.
From the Servette academy through Freiburg's U-19 setup to reaching the Bundesliga first team, Manzambi's progress has been remarkable. After being promoted to the senior squad last season, he quickly established himself, catching Yakin's attention. Following his debut as a substitute against Mexico, the Geneva-born player was soon elevated to the starting lineup. Manzambi believes Switzerland can compete with any team in the world and is eager to prove it on football's biggest stage.
