"VAN" (Sports Desk - 07.07.2026) :: It’s not every day that a fitness scare around a player not long out of his teens prompts such concern. But this is far from an ordinary day, and Johan Manzambi, as he has shown at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, is far from an ordinary player.
Along with the equally influential Ruben Vargas and the dependable Djibril Sow, Manzambi failed to finish Switzerland’s final training session ahead of their Round of 16 showdown with Colombia on Tuesday.
With three goals and two assists, 20-year-old Manzambi has gone from being a questionable starter at the beginning of the tournament to now a key cog in a Swiss side aiming to reach their first quarter-final since 1954.
Such has been Manzambi’s impact that head coach Murat Yakin admitted that he is ‘concerned’ as to how the side will react if he is unable to recover.
“Obviously when players have to leave training early people are anxious. He might not play tomorrow and that can be a huge issue.
“I’ve known of [Manzambi’s] talent for a year. He is a very precious and important player for us. He is constantly increasing his performance and is a team player.
“He’s the kind of player that others like to watch and I always say that he is an all-rounder, with so many qualities. He still has so much potential but we’ve very happy with him and I hope he can be on the pitch tomorrow.”
It’s not just the coach who has been impressed with the precocious young forward, with his teammates also quick to praise the unique qualities that Manzambi brings to the Nati, as Manuel Akanji explained.
“You can see that he is very creative and that's what we need from players who, even in situations where you don't expect anything, can still create something special. I think he has the courage and the talent to do so and I hope that he keeps it up and keeps going because he can still develop a lot.
“So far though he has played a great tournament, he sees things that maybe others don't see and we really need players like this. He comes in with a lot of confidence and we need these kind of creative talents.”
If that was high praise, Swiss captain Granit Xhaka took it up another level.
“You can see that he's on his way to being a very, very good player. He's young but with a huge hunger and he is such a big help for our team. With the ball or without the ball, he has a very good mentality and this is what we need.
“His one-on-one ability we see in training every day and he also wants to improve. If you already have this mentality at such a young age, then you can achieve great things.”
Four years ago, as a 16-year-old, Manzambi was just another Switzerland fan, watching on as the nation suffered a third straight Round of 16 exit, humbled 6-1 at the hands of Portugal.
Now, he’s forming part of a formidable front-line that features Breel Embolo, Vargas and another more than happy to sing his praises in the form of winger Dan Ndoye.
Cr-FIFA2026
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