The Athletic FC Podcast The Athletic meets... Jesse Marsch
56 snips
Dec 28, 2025 
Jesse Marsch, the American football coach currently leading Canada’s national team, shares his ambitious vision for the 2026 World Cup. He emphasizes that simply getting out of the group stage isn’t enough and reflects on building players’ mentality through past experiences. Marsch critiques modern football's short-termism and discusses the need for patience in club management. He also highlights the importance of nurturing Canadian talent and adapting coaching strategies for international competition, all while praising Erling Haaland’s exceptional skills.
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Winning The Group Is Non-Negotiable
- Getting out of the group is minimum; winning the group is essential to reach knockouts at a home World Cup.
- Jesse Marsch demands his team aim to win the group to maximise their tournament chance.
Train For Pressure, Not Just Tactics
- Build player leadership, communication and savviness to handle pressure in big tournaments.
- Train players in high-pressure club environments to normalise Champions League and title pressures.
Major Tournaments Catalyse National Development
- The 1994 US World Cup created pathways that transformed careers and the sport’s infrastructure.
- Marsch sees Canada needing a similar foundational event to unify development and coaching.