One of the host nations of the 2026 World Cup that has high expectations is Canada, which has become a strong team in the CONCACAF under head coach Jesse Marsch.
Under the American coach, Canada reached the 2024 Copa America semifinals and finished third in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League. Marsch became the head coach of the Canadian national team in May 2024.
But before he joined Canada as its head coach, Marsch was considered the ideal candidate to become the USMNT head coach.
U.S. Soccer went a different route and chose to hire Mauricio Pochettino in September 2024 after Gregg Berhalter.
Photo by Alexis Quiroz/Jam Media/Getty Images
In an interview with Ben Jacobs and GiveMeSport, Marsch was asked about the USMNT, and the Canada head coach spoke about the opportunity he had to become the head coach for Team USA in the past.
Jesse Marsch on the USMNT and Canada
Current Canada head coach Jesse Marsch talks about his satisfaction in coaching Canada ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but also spoke briefly about the missed opportunity to coach the USMNT in the past.
When discussing the Canadian national team, Marsch said, "I was devastated when they pulled the rug out from under me with the USMNT. When I look back at it, it was the best thing that could've happened. Landing here in Canada, I just feel like I found a team and a fanbase and a country that fits who I am more."
When discussing more about not becoming the USMNT head coach, Marsch said, "I got a call from US Soccer when I was literally being fingerprinted [for a visa] at Leicester. I was ready to take that job, so it changed the trajectory of my life. I think things happen for a reason, and I’m happy with where I am right now."
Marsch did not want to go into detail about what happened, but believed that he had almost secured the USMNT head coach job.
Marsch said, "All I’d say is that it was made very clear to me by US Soccer that I was going to be the [USMNT] coach, and then it was made very clear to me that I was not. At the time, I was devastated and angry, but now I am thankful and really happy to be where I’m at."
