Jesse Marsch praises Canadian pride ahead of World Cup opener against Bosnia
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 11:47 PM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
Jesse Marsch emphasized the pride of his Canadian players on the eve of their Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, set for Friday in Toronto. He expressed confidence in his squad's readiness to embrace the pressure of co-hosting the World Cup, contrasting their enthusiasm with that of some former U.S. players who he had to ‘beg’ to sing the national anthem. Marsch confirmed that both Ismaël Koné and Moïse Bombito are fit to play, while providing a positive update on captain Alphonso Davies, who is recovering well from a hamstring injury. He also dismissed concerns about weather impacting the match following a recent evacuation of a fan festival due to lightning.
- •Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup opener
- •Marsch highlights players' national pride and readiness
- •Koné and Bombito fit, positive news on Davies' recovery
- •Weather concerns addressed following fan festival evacuation
- 4:23 PMYahoo Sports — Canada's Jesse Marsch reignites USMNT row with Star-Spangled Banner comments
- 11:47 PMYahoo Sports — Jesse Marsch says he had to ‘beg’ US players to sing anthem as he talks up Canada’s pride
- 11:47 PMThe Guardian Sport — Jesse Marsch says he had to ‘beg’ US players to sing anthem as he talks up Canada’s pride
"Jesse Marsch urged Canada to embrace the pressure of being co-hosts on the eve of their Group B opener and trumpeted his players’ pride at representing the nation, adding that when he was part of the US setup they had to sometimes “beg players to sing the national anthem”. Canada will host their first World Cup game on Friday, with Bosnia and Herzegovina their opponents for the history-making match in Toronto. Marsch, who became the first American to manage Canada upon his appointment two years ago and was the US assistant coach at the 2010 World Cup, said he loves the multiculturalism in his squad.
"Marsch says players will embrace World Cup occasion Moïse Bombito and Ismaël Koné fit after injuries Weather concerns dismissed: ‘We’ll be ready.’ Jesse Marsch urged Canada to embrace the pressure of being co-hosts on the eve of their Group B opener and trumpeted his players’ pride at representing the nation, adding that when he was part of the US setup they had to sometimes “beg players to sing the national anthem”. Canada will host their first World Cup game on Friday, with Bosnia and Herzegovina their opponents for the history-making match in Toronto. Continue reading...
"Ahead of their FIFA World Cup kick off, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has claimed that he had to "beg" U.S. Men's National Team players to sing the Star-Spangled Banner
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 4:23 PMCanada's Jesse Marsch reignites USMNT row with Star-Spangled Banner comments
Ahead of their FIFA World Cup kick off, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has claimed that he had to "beg" U.S. Men's National Team players to sing the Star-Spangled Banner
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 11:47 PMJesse Marsch says he had to ‘beg’ US players to sing anthem as he talks up Canada’s pride
Jesse Marsch urged Canada to embrace the pressure of being co-hosts on the eve of their Group B opener and trumpeted his players’ pride at representing the nation, adding that when he was part of the US setup they had to sometimes “beg players to sing the national anthem”. Canada will host their first World Cup game on Friday, with Bosnia and Herzegovina their opponents for the history-making match in Toronto. Marsch, who became the first American to manage Canada upon his appointment two years ago and was the US assistant coach at the 2010 World Cup, said he loves the multiculturalism in his squad.
- The Guardian SportJun 11, 2026, 11:47 PMJesse Marsch says he had to ‘beg’ US players to sing anthem as he talks up Canada’s pride
Marsch says players will embrace World Cup occasion Moïse Bombito and Ismaël Koné fit after injuries Weather concerns dismissed: ‘We’ll be ready.’ Jesse Marsch urged Canada to embrace the pressure of being co-hosts on the eve of their Group B opener and trumpeted his players’ pride at representing the nation, adding that when he was part of the US setup they had to sometimes “beg players to sing the national anthem”. Canada will host their first World Cup game on Friday, with Bosnia and Herzegovina their opponents for the history-making match in Toronto. Continue reading...
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