World Cup 2026: Jesse Marsch insists Canada was 'the better team' in loss to Morocco: 'I'd rather be us than them'

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Jesse Marsch has made it clear he doesn't care about the haters. The American-born Princeton alum who both played and coached at the MLS level before taking over as Canada's frontman is unabashedly himself.

Even before the Round of 16 commenced in the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, Marsch had drawn ire for comments he'd made before and during this year's tournament. Plus, he had received criticism for his on-field theatrics, including his celebration after a 6-0 win over Qatar in group play and his "Canadian heroes" speech after the Round of 32.

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The 52-year-old manager was under siege again in the wake of Canada's 3-0 defeat to Morocco — not because his squad was suddenly out of the World Cup but rather due to what he said following the loss.

Marsch insisted that Canada was "the better team" and said "I'd rather be us than them" in his pitchside post-match interview, a bewildering revelation considering Morocco emerged as the team advancing to the quarterfinals, where it will meet France.

The latter of those quotes arrived in response to a question Marsch fielded about what he hopes Canada can do to build on its head-turning run in this year's World Cup.

"What a privilege our fans have had," Marsch said, via Fox Sports, "to root a team on like this, that goes after the game, that doesn't play defensive, that shows that they can be better.

"Of course, we have to be in these situations more and more, and then we have to find ways to succeed, and then we have to build from that, but what a great team."

That's when he added: "I'd rather be us than them. As good as Morocco is, I'd rather be us. I'm really proud of our guys. We went after the game. They're hurting right now, but, my goodness, I couldn't be prouder."

Pride is certainly where Marsch's remarks were coming from. After all, under his direction, the Canadian men's national team notched its first-ever World Cup win, advanced to the knockout round for the first time and then doubled that victory total with a dramatic Round of 32 triumph over South Africa last week — as tournament co-hosts, no less.

Canada had made the World Cup twice before: first in 1986 and then again in 2022. It didn't make it out of the group stage either year.

Marsch, who signed an extension in May through the 2030 World Cup, has undeniably jolted the program, which put on an impressive display in the first half Saturday, dominating Morocco in that frame. Unfortunately for Canada, those opening 45 minutes were a footnote after Morocco scored three times in the second half.

Azzedine Ounahi collected a brace. The first of his two goals broke the scoreless tie in the 50th minute. Canada had chances to strike first but couldn't find the back of the net.

Marsch said in his news conference on Saturday, according to ESPN, that Morocco "were bending a little bit, but they didn't break."

"On another day, maybe we get the lead and maybe we get the win," he said, per ESPN. "But the way we pushed, the way we were in the match, the quality we showed, the overall impact in the match. We were better. We were better than the No. 7 team in the world today."

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi unsurprisingly didn't see it that way.

"In terms of intensity, [Canada] were good," he said, according to ESPN. "Were they better? It's hard to say. It takes some nerve to say that, when you lose 3-0. We were better than them in the second half."

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