Don't expect an apology from fibbing Canada coach Jesse Marsch
The highs and lows of the FIFA World Cup were on display for Canada following a 2-1 loss to Switzerland.
There was triumph in becoming the first Canadian men’s national team to advance to a World Cup knockout match, but also disappointment in not earning a result to keep Canada in Vancouver for the Round of 32 and potentially the Round of 16 as well.
There are plenty of mixed emotions.
“We wanted to get out of the group and that’s history for us,” Ali Ahmed told reporters post-game. “I really appreciate that we’re out of the group. Our tournament is not done. It sucks that you play in four days instead of eight, but there’s still a path to where we want to go.”
Canada has one final training session in Vancouver at the National Soccer Development Centre on Friday before travelling to Southern California in the afternoon. They play South Africa on Sunday at 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT.
Sorry, not sorry
Alphonso Davies has yet to make his 2026 FIFA World Cup debut. (Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)
Jesse Marsch admitted to lying to the media following Wednesday’s match.
After suggesting that Alphonso Davies would play in Tuesday’s press conference, Canada’s head coach later admitted that his captain was never going to play against Switzerland. Davies was a “decoy,” Marsch said.
But if reporters were expecting an apology, they didn’t get one.
“My main loyalty is to this team and doing whatever is possible to help this team be successful in the tournament,” Marsch said prior to training on Thursday. “So some people get mad about it. This is not a friendly. This is competitive. We’re going to do whatever we can as a group so that we can get an edge.”
If Davies is going to be available for selection on Sunday there are tests he has to pass.
“I made the decision not to play him because he wasn’t there yet,” Marsch said. “He didn’t hit his max velocity. He will do that today. He didn’t hit all the little checklists to make sure that mentally and physically and always, he’s free to go out and play. I care about his physical well being and I don’t want to put him in jeopardy of having any setbacks.”
#CanMNT Alphonso Davies began the open portion of training doing light running with his independent specialist trainer đ©đȘMatthias Blankenburg.
Jesse Marsch said Davies would hit his âmax velocityâ today.
Weâll see if Davies plays on Sunday in LA.#FIFAWorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/EzE9MawCW6
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) June 25, 2026
If Davies does see game action, he will change the match by just stepping on the pitch. South Africa will have to defend deep and make sure Davies doesn’t go on a burst. Even when he’s not at full strength, Davies adds another weapon to Canada’s attack.
“When he plays, he’s the best left back in the world,” Alistair Johnston told reporters on Thursday. “I think that would definitely be beneficial if we can get him out there. I’m still not sure what his current situation is. I leave that to the medical team. I’m not going to get myself in trouble there.”
Distraction subtraction
The atmosphere at BC Place has been incredible. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
Canada couldn’t ask for anything more from fans that showed up to matches in Vancouver and Toronto.
But could playing at home be a bit of a distraction?
“There’s a certain benefit to eliminating a little bit of the distractions and the circus around the whole thing,” Marsch admitted. “As much as we’ve really enjoyed the home crowd, I think going to L.A. … right now our team has been physically and mentally pushed to limits. I think we need three days to be calm, focused, training’s not going to be all intense. It’s going to be about recovery, rehabilitation, and then re-energizing and to really go again in the biggest game we’ve had as a program.
“That’s what we’re focusing on right now.”
There is a different type of pressure now that Canada has advanced to the knockout stage. Canada has a terrific opportunity to move on to the Round of 16 if they can beat 60th ranked South Africa. Expectations have shifted.
“There’s always pressure in these situations,” Marsch said. “I think players like to be in the pressure, but I think also distractions. I think we can get down to L.A., even with families, it’s not going to be the same kind of thing around the hotel and around the entire experience.”
Set-piece improvement
Canada hasn’t generated many good chances off set pieces. (Fareen Karim/Offside)
Despite having seven corners and several throw-in opportunities against Switzerland, Canada missed the mark as they searched for a late equalizer. Whether it was the delivery or setting a pick inside the Swiss box, Canada lacked a clear vision and creativity on set pieces.
How do they fix that?
“I think it’s definitely an area where we can score,” Ahmed said. “I think maybe the timing, delivery, and runs could be a little bit better. More consistency on the delivery helps for sure.”
Having the physical presence of a Promise David would be another option.
“There was some things that we could have done better, but I thought on the long throw we almost scored. Late in the game when we had all these long throws it was like almost every time we were dangerous. We have a good set piece coach and we continue to work on ideas.”