Switzerland will face the USA and Mexico in two friendly matches in June. Nine Bundesliga players will be representing their country in the World Cup host nation – one of them for the first time.
It took Johan Manzambi a while to find his feet in the new league. After six substitute appearances during the season, the 19-year-old made his first start on matchday 30 in a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim, and also started the last three games of the season, which ultimately saw SC promoted to the Europa League.
Manzambi (two goals and two assists in eleven Bundesliga appearances) could be playing on the international stage as early as June, as national coach Murat Yakin has nominated him for the Swiss squad for the first time. “I saw him against Leverkusen and spoke to him. He showed our captain Granit Xhaka what he’s capable of in a one-on-one,” Yakin enthused.
Also included are Miro Muheim, who helped Hamburger SV gain promotion to the Bundesliga, and Frankfurt’s Aurele Amenda, both of whom have only played two international matches so far. Leverkusen’s Xhaka is returning to the national team after his paternity leave, as is Mainz’s Silvan Widmer. They are joined by Bundesliga goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cedric Zesiger (Augsburg), and Fabian Rieder (VfB Stuttgart).
Yakin opens the door for Shaqiri
Also worth mentioning is the return of defensive stalwart Manuel Akanji, who had been sidelined with injury. What surprised Yakin, however, was his attempt to bring back Xherdan Shaqiri. Xherdan Shaqiri had already retired from the national team in July 2024 after the European Championship, but Yakin wanted to convince him to make a U-turn. “I tried to reach him and then sent him a voice message,” revealed the 50-year-old. “The door is open from my side, but he has to be willing to come back.” Yakin wants to make a new attempt to sign the prominent player before the World Cup qualifiers in the fall.
For now, however, the team will have to do without the FC Basel playmaker. The Swiss will face Mexico in Salt Lake City, USA, on June 7, before traveling to Nashville to take on the USA four days later.
