Before Johan Manzambi had played a single minute for Freiburg or pulled on a senior Switzerland shirt, he had already set his sights on the 2026 World Cup. That ambition was not just to be there — it was to matter.

The 20-year-old has delivered on that promise in remarkable fashion, emerging as one of the tournament's most exciting players and attracting intense transfer interest, with Newcastle United among those watching closely.

A tournament to remember

Manzambi's World Cup began from the bench, but manager Murat Yakin could not ignore him for long. He came on as a substitute and scored twice against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Switzerland's second group fixture, forcing Yakin's hand for subsequent matches.

On his first World Cup start, against Canada, Manzambi scored and set up a goal. He then provided the assist for Switzerland's opener in the round of 32 win over Algeria. A knee injury ruled him out of the last 16 victory against Colombia, and his availability for the quarter-final against holders Argentina remains uncertain.