VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch expressed his disappointment at losing home advantage in the 2026 World Cup, even after leading the men’s national team to the knockout stages for the first time.
The co-hosts required only a draw against Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver on Wednesday to secure the top spot in their group and guarantee home games in the round of 32 and round of 16.
While Canada managed to avoid a severe loss that could have jeopardized their tournament progression—having earned four points from their opening two matches—a defeat to Murat Yakin’s side means they will now face South Africa at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles on Sunday. The Bafana-Bafana secured second place in Group A after a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday night.
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“Having experienced World Cups and significant moments in my career, getting one big win and building on it is crucial,” Marsch told TSN, referencing Canada’s impressive 6-0 victory over Qatar in the second group stage match. “Thus, I’m disappointed that we couldn’t secure a win or draw to remain here in Vancouver.”
“I am thankful to the country and the stadium for the incredible energy today. It has been fantastic, and that’s the disappointment because we want to maintain the momentum we’ve experienced here in Canada.”
“However, we’re heading to L.A., and it’s likely to feel more like an away game, which will present its own challenges. Still, we aim to inspire our country and perform excellently there. We’re exactly where we want to be—in the knockout stage, so let’s embrace it.”
As they prepare for the knockout rounds, Marsch confirmed that Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies will be fit to play for the first time this World Cup.
Switzerland took control of the match with two quick goals shortly after halftime, courtesy of Rubén Vargas and Johan Manzambi. A goal by Promise David in the 76th minute provided Canada with a glimmer of hope, but the team could not find the equalizer that would have allowed them to join fellow co-hosts the United States and Mexico as group winners. Instead, Switzerland will face a third-place team on July 2 in Vancouver for the round of 32.
Marsch acknowledged that he erred by not implementing tactical changes at halftime.
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“We will concentrate on the positives,” Marsch said. “We had strong performances off the bench, but I regret not opting for a five-man defense to stabilize things at halftime. I should have made that adjustment.”
“We started the second half too passively. Our strategies focus on aggression and leveraging our athleticism, but in high-pressure moments, players can become hesitant. We need to learn from this for our next match. However, we understand what it’s like to play in the U.S. and will be ready for that challenge. I have faith in our team’s determination, and I know they will give their all in every moment, which is something to take pride in.”
Regarding Davies’ anticipated return from his hamstring injury—after utilizing him as a “decoy” against the Swiss—Marsch added, “Alphonso wasn’t ready to fully participate, but I wanted Switzerland to consider him, and they mentioned him several times in their press conference yesterday. He wasn’t prepared to play, but I used him strategically.
He will be ready for the next match. We didn’t want to risk him in a situation where he could be harmed, but he will be fit for the upcoming game.”