Switzerland vs Canada live updates: World Cup 2026 game latest news and buildup

No surprise that Switzerland coach Murat Yakin is under pressure to start Johan Manzambi against Canada today. Freiburg’s Manzambi scored twice in the 4-1 win over Bosnia, including an over-the-shoulder volley that ranks among the best goals of the tournament so far.

The first question Yakin faced at his press conference yesterday was about Manzambi, but the head coach was not playing along.

“I have several options,” Yakin replied, not taking the bait.

“Johan is an option for me both as a starter and as a substitute.”

The straightest of straight bats, then. But there is a compelling argument for Manzambi’s inclusion. Yakin used a 4-3-1-2 against Bosnia, with captain Granit Xhaka, Michel Aebischer and Remo Freuler in the deeper roles behind Fabian Rieder, who operated as an attacking midfielder. It did not really work. Not in a creative sense, at least, and it was only when Yakin shifted to a 4-2-3-1 — with Manzambi playing on the right — that Switzerland started to look menacing.

In itself, that was a surprise. Off the top of my head, I cannot remember seeing Manzambi play that role for Freiburg in the Bundesliga. He is more often a central midfielder, albeit one with an attacking brief, than a winger.