Canada manager Jesse Marsch has reignited tensions with the United States after revealing he once had to “beg” American players to sing their national anthem.
Marsch, the first American ever appointed head coach of Canada’s men’s national soccer team, previously served as an assistant with the U.S. during the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking on Thursday, the 52-year-old drew on that experience while trying to motivate his current squad ahead of Friday’s opener.
“When I first arrived, I had to understand more deeply what it meant to be Canadian,” Marsch said. “As a leader in this sport, I’ve always wanted to build a culture where our differences make us stronger rather than divide us.
“From the first day I joined this group, I was struck by how much they care about one another, how naturally they connect, and how, despite their different backgrounds, so many of their stories are similar.”
“Every one of these players is deeply Canadian, and the pride they feel when they wear the jersey, represent the country, and hear the national anthem is unmistakable.”
Jesse Marsch hit out at his former USA players in a bid to motivate his Canadian stars
Canada will kick-start their 2026 World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina
‘In the US sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem. These guys [Canada stars] belt it out to the top of their lungs because they want to show the country how proud they are to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.’
During his time as an assistant coach for the USA, Marsch worked with the likes of Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey at the World Cup in South Africa.
Canada will kick-start their 2026 World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Toronto Stadium on Friday afternoon.
‘We all know a home World Cup is special,’ he continued. ‘If you do this for a living, this is where you want to be. I came to Canada to lead them in a home World Cup; I wanted this responsibility. Nobody here is afraid of that.
‘Actually, this is why we’re doing it. Yeah, it’s responsibility, yeah, it’s pressure, but that’s what we want, it’s meaningful. I love sitting on that coach’s box when the stadium’s full, the pressure is on and everyone thinks you’re an idiot.’
Marsch became the first American ever to lead the Canadian national team following his appointment two years ago.
Canada will start their tournament on Friday, before taking on Switzerland, on June 24, and Qatar, on June 18, in the weeks that follow.
Meanwhile, the USA will also start their World Cup campaign on Friday afternoon against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Recently, head coach Mauricio Pochettino claimed that he believes the USA’s World Cup campaign can create the same hysteria that is gripping New York as the Knicks chase a first NBA championship in 50 years.
Marsch claimed he used to ‘beg’ USA stars to sing the national anthem during his time with the squad back in 2010 (Pictured: The current USA squad at a recent training session)
Marsch was hired as an assistant to the United States men’s national team back in 2010
Fans poured on to the streets of Manhattan earlier this week after the Knicks moved to within one win of a first title since 1973. Many of Pochettino’s players also lost their minds at their California base after New York’s stunning comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
There were even more remarkable scenes in Argentina – Pochettino’s homeland – four years ago, when Lionel Messi led his nation to World Cup glory.
Soccer has long struggled to captivate America like other sports but on the eve of the USMNT’s opening game against Paraguay in Los Angeles , the head coach was asked how his players can inspire the same hype.
‘I think it’s contagious and we need to play with passion, we need to win games – that’s very important… [we need] to make the fans feel proud about what they are seeing on the field,’ he said.
‘To create that emotional relationship and then you will do the rest – try to encourage the people to celebrate – but we need to win. The important thing is to win.’
