Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has reignited a war of words with the United States by saying he used to “beg” USA players to sing the national anthem, while insisting Canada’s stars now belt it out with pride. With Canada set to begin their 2026 World Cup camp
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch didn’t wait long to turn the spotlight on the national anthem — and, by extension, the USA.
On Thursday. as his side turns toward the opening game of their 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday. the 52-year-old used an anecdote from his time with the United States to motivate his players. Marsch. the first American to ever manage Canada’s men’s national soccer team. framed the moment as a question of pride. belonging. and who shows it loudly.
“When I first came, I had to learn a lot about what it meant to be Canadian,” Marsch said. “Being a leader in this sport, I’ve always tried to create an environment where our differences make us stronger, not weaker.”
He then described what he believes he sees in the squad: togetherness, shared stories, and a clear hunger to represent the jersey.
“From the moment I stepped into the environment with this team. I was impressed by how much they loved each other. how much they were drawn to each other and how much. even though there were differences. their back stories had similarities. Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian and the pride they have in putting on the jersey. representing the country and hearing the national anthem.”.
That’s where Marsch’s comparison with the USA sharpened into a direct challenge. He claimed that when he previously worked with the USMNT, the anthem wasn’t always met with the same level of visible enthusiasm.
“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.”
Marsch’s history with the USA gives the comments extra bite. During his World Cup tenure in South Africa in 2010, he was the assistant coach, working with Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey.
Now he is pointing that experience back toward Canada’s own atmosphere as they open at Toronto Stadium against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday afternoon. After that first match, Canada is scheduled to take on Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
Marsch also leaned into the pressure and privilege of a home tournament. “We all know a home World Cup is special,” he said. “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.”
Then he made it personal, describing what it feels like to sit on the coach’s box when the stadium is packed — and admitting he loves the intensity even when it comes with the noise and criticism that follow.
“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.”
While Canada’s preparations take shape in Toronto, the USA’s campaign is already set to begin across the border on Friday afternoon. The USMNT will play Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Just days earlier. head coach Mauricio Pochettino had stirred the idea that the USA’s World Cup journey could generate the kind of obsession American sports fans are used to — even while New York is gripped by the Knicks’ chase of a first NBA championship in 50 years. Marsch’s anthem remarks land in the middle of that wider search for emotional connection and momentum.
The theme of turning hype into football arrives directly from Pochettino’s own comments as well. Asked how his players can inspire the same kind of buzz. he said: “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 added: “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.”
Between Manhattan’s Knicks fever. the scenes at training bases in California after New York’s comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. and past World Cup nights such as Lionel Messi leading Argentina to World Cup glory four years ago. Marsch’s comments bring the argument back to one moment before kickoff: the anthem.
Canada’s tournament begins on Friday, with Marsch betting his players will make their pride impossible to miss — and with his words ensuring that the USA will hear, and respond, even if the matches themselves are still days away.
Jesse Marsch Canada USA national anthem World Cup 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina Toronto Stadium Landon Donovan Tim Howard Clint Dempsey Mauricio Pochettino Paraguay SoFi Stadium Switzerland Qatar
Why are coaches even talking about the anthem? Just coach.
He “begged” them to sing? That sounds like drama for no reason. Also I don’t even know if the USA players should have to do that like a requirement.
This is gonna turn into some USA/Canada politics thing, mark my words. Like, anthem pride?? It’s soccer. I’m pretty sure they already sing it, just not loud enough for his standards.
Marsch talks like Canada is more patriotic like it’s a whole personality trait. Meanwhile half the US players probably have their own reasons—maybe they’re focused on the game and not performing. Also he used to manage Canada?? wait no he’s American right? idk but this is just gonna start arguments online again.