Unlike the approach of the USMNT World Cup, Marsch’s Canada opts for the continuity of alignment
The director of the national team of Canada, Jesse Marsch, was about to set up his approach to manufacture his list of the World Cup in 2026, but given his recent past and his link with the United States, there is always a clear intrigue in his thoughts on the intersection of the World Cup and the White House. He therefore approached the growing connection of American president Donald Trump with the tournament next summer Thursday before the friend of Canada against Romania in Bucharest.
“I know there was a good link with FIFA and the White House,” said the director born in Wisconsin at a press conference. “And at the end, with all the policies that float in the world, more than anything, we are so excited by the opportunity to play the World Cup at home.”
On August 22, Trump and the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, launched a curve ball from the world of football by announcing the draw for the 2026 World Cup, co-organized by the United States, Canada and Mexico, would take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on December 5. Athletics have reported that the draw has long been planning to stay in Las Vegas before Trump penetrates and does not change.
“It will be at Kennedy Center. His name is the Kennedy Center,” Marsch said a clear wink to Trump’s recent suggestion that the building could be renamed “Trump Kennedy Center”.
Marsch previously attracted attention for demanding that Trump fell rhetoric to the fact that Canada becomes 51 in the United Statesst State while declaring that it was “ashamed” of the comments of the American president. Thursday, in the midst of continuous political tensions, Marsch contemplated everything.
“People know the comments I made, and so when they see me, they are aware that I am this guy. But no, I did not have the impression of being expelled,” joked Marsch.
Marsch may not have wanted to dive too deep into American politics, but as regards his role, he clearly contrasts with his American counterpart.
The next six games of Canada among the international windows in September, October and November are all friendly matches, and Marsch said that his coache staff were treating them as a window. This would suggest that if its American manager Mauricio Pochettino still juggles and experiences with his player swimming pool before the 2026 World Cup, the Marsch group for the tournament could largely be fixed.
“Our group is, in terms of selection for the global basin, which has become clearer and clearer and stabilized,” said Marsch. “This does not mean that there are no places for the competition, but I think that in many positions when we know that our players are healthy, we are clear enough on what each guy can deliver and how he integrates. And I think it will be important to develop us next summer.”
This could mean that, starting with Canada’s friendly match against Romania, battles among the players’ swimming pool are not necessarily for the points of the alignment of the World Cup, but the starting points of the alignment. Marsch estimates that stability over the next nine months could lead to results during the World Cup, where Canada’s men are still looking for their first point on the big stage in the history of the program (two three challenges in 1986 and 2022).
The next five opponents of Canada are all currently classified in the Top 50 of FIFA: Romania, Wales, Australia, Colombia and Ecuador. Canada has a more friendly to announce for the November window, and it is believed that Canada will face a high-ranking South American opponent.
Thanks to these six games, little squad rotation is expected. Marsch aims to implement many elements to his team at that time, including tactical flexibility and an increase in the least and communication. The obstacle to Marsch is currently faced with injuries: Canadian pillars Alphonso Davies, Moïse Bombito, Alistair Johnston and Liam Millar are all out or recover. Their places in the World Cup team are not in danger, however.
Otherwise, Marsch’s desire for stability has a clear underlying message: if you are a healthy Canadian player and not in the team at the moment, the possibility of cracking the World Cup team is weak.
“I am personally very excited by the potential of the team we are going to assemble,” said Marsch. “And we hope that we may have, especially with a lot of transfers during the summer, many players who settle in their club situation, who can have a very good shape and good physical shape, stay healthy and push themselves to the highest level to be ready.”
Meanwhile, the United States remains a work in progress. Longtime pillars such as Weston McKennie have been excluded from the September team, and seven of the 24 camp players have five caps or less – including two non -capped goalkeepers – while Pochettino continues to tinker.
“We really think it’s the right decision,” said Pocsettino. “To bring the good balance to the team.”
One side gives the impression of running short of time to form his list, while the other wants the key decisions of the alignment to be taken well in advance.
The latter, in Canada, has just released an abject failure of the Golden Cup which culminated with a defeat in the quarter -finals against Guatemala. To overcome this failure, the Marsch plan is well defined: there will be no surprise. It is in the group as it is assembled – with the obvious warning of the injured stars – to return to victory.
Marsch said that his two goalkeepers in the running for the starting place of the World Cup, Maxime Crépeau and Dayne St. Clair, start a match at this window. But the decision on Canada’s starter’s starter in the World Cup will come shortly afterwards, because the process could cause instability.
“When the decision is made – that we do not want to wait just before the World Cup – it will probably be one of my most difficult and most important decisions for the team,” said Marsch.
Whether it is the approach of Marsch or Pochettino which leads to better results during the World Cup remains to be seen. But at the very least, Marsch gives off a calm for the Canada fans base. He spent this window to admit publicly that he made errors related to staff at the Gold Cup. And now it is clear: time for errors before the World Cup is over, and a lack of real changes to the team is a step towards this.
(Top Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)
