The 20-year-old midfielder has impressed with three goals so far. Alex Grimm/Getty ImagesJuly 10, 2026 3:19 pm EDT Updated Switzerland will have to beat Argentina without Johan Manzambi after the midfielder was ruled out of the World Cup quarter-finals with injury.The 20-year-old has impressed at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, scoring three times as the Swiss advanced as winners of Group B.He started as the team beat Algeria in the round of 32 before going on to miss the round-of-16 win over Colombia — secured in a penalty shootout — with the same knee injury forcing him to miss Saturday’s game in Kansas City.“We tried everything that we could to get him back, unfortunately, he’s unable to perform tomorrow,” head coach Murat Yakin told a news conference Friday, via Reuters.
“Johan Manzambi is in a lot of pain. It was a shock to all of us. This momentum was on his side, and there is so much joy when he plays football.”Manzambi is on course to join Premier League club Newcastle United when the tournament ends.The Athletic reported on Thursday that Newcastle and Freiburg had reached an agreement in principle over a deal worth in the region of £50million ($67m).He came through the academy of Swiss club Servette before joining the youth ranks of Freiburg, where he went on to make 58 appearances for the first team, scoring eight goals and assisting 11.He made 47 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, recording seven goals and nine assists as Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga, and played a prominent role in their run to the Europa League final.Switzerland are into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. Should they advance past Argentina at Arrowhead, it would be a first semi-final in their history.Jul 10, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
