Johan Manzambi is set to play in his first World Cup after a breakthrough season at Freiburg that produced seven goals in all competitions and a Best Young Player award in the Europa League. The 20-year-old’s form made him indispensable in Murat Yakin’s system and secured a place in Switzerland’s 26-man squad.
Freiburg Breakthrough Season Details
Seven goals came across 47 matches this season, with Manzambi finishing the Bundesliga campaign on five goals and five assists and adding two goals and two assists in the Europa League. He scored Freiburg’s second in a 3-1 second-leg semi-final win over Braga and was named Best Young Player of the Europa League.
Manzambi joined the SC Freiburg academy in January 2023 and moved quickly through the club’s ranks. He made ten appearances in the 3. Liga in 2023/24 and scored twice, then made his professional debut for Freiburg’s first team in a 3-0 Bundesliga win over Heidenheim in August 2024. His first Bundesliga goal arrived on 12 April 2025 in a 2-1 win against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Switzerland Role Under Murat Yakin
Ten caps and three goals have come since Manzambi progressed through Switzerland’s U18s, U19s and U20s into the senior setup. The Swiss Football Association announced Manzambi first as it gradually revealed the 26-man World Cup squad, underscoring the role he now plays under Yakin.
Manzambi has described his path as "a path strewn with obstacles" and said the move north to Freiburg "paid off much faster than expected." He added, "I’m proud of myself and very grateful for the support of my teammates and all the Freiburg staff. It’s there that I earned my place in the national team since last year," and that "Playing in the World Cup is a childhood dream." Blue Sport expert Blerim Dzemaili framed the selection question bluntly: "Can he really afford not to play him?"
PSG and Manchester United Interest
Market attention has followed the on-field numbers: Manzambi’s market value is estimated at 50 million euros and he is already being courted by PSG and Manchester United. That outside interest adds pressure on selection choices for Murat Yakin and raises the stakes for what role Manzambi will occupy at the World Cup.
There is a complication to the tidy rise: his final with Aston Villa ended in a heavy defeat, despite his individual breakout season — a reminder that individual form and team outcomes can diverge at crucial moments. Will Johan Manzambi start for Switzerland at the World Cup, or what specific role will he have?
