Manuel Akanji

Manuel Akanji is a Swiss defender currently with Manchester City, where his game is defined by duel winning, recovery speed, and clean buildup from the back. Akanji moved from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City and became part of a Champions League-winning defensive rotation. For Switzerland, he has become part of a seasoned tournament side that trusts structure and midfield maturity and is asked to organize the back line and handle elite one-on-one assignments when tournament margins tighten. At World Cup 2026, the key question is whether Manuel Akanji can carry his club rhythm into the international stage, handle the physical tempo of the group, and deliver one or two decisive moments that change the shape of Switzerland's campaign.