Canada are the first team through to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after a narrow victory against South Africa. The host nation were forced to play their first knockout game in the United States of America, but still managed to come away with a 1-0 win.

Jesse Marsch, born in the States, has guided Les Rouges to the last 16 despite being met with extreme doubt ever since his failed spell at Leeds United. Always wearing his heart on his sleeve, the 52-year-old even had to be held back from the referee after a controversial penalty decision in the game.

Nonetheless, a goal from Stephen Eustaquio in stoppage time was enough to eliminate Bafana Bafana and progress to the next round, where Canada will face the winner of the Netherlands vs Morocco.

Jesse Marsch’s Full-Time Speech vs South Africa

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Following the full-time whistle, Marsch and his players showed the extreme emotion they were feeling. The manager got into the middle of a huddle and gave an inspirational speech to his players.

ITV’s cameras and microphones captured the entire monologue. “Guys, think about the two years we’ve been together. Think about how we talked about the plan, sticking to who we want to be, playing aggressive and accessing your qualities,” the animated American said.

He went on to label the playing staff ‘Canadian heroes’ for the influence they’d have on younger generations getting involved in football. He continued:

Watch Jesse Marsch’s full speech below

Kirby Lee (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

While everyone involved with Canada, including players and fans, will have loved what they were hearing from the man who just took them to World Cup history, not everyone felt the same.

Marsch often got comparisons with fictional American college football coach Ted Lasso during his time in the Premier League. Supporters of other nations were quick to accuse the Canadian boss of ‘copying’ the TV character.

One X user said: “Jesse Marsch is literally Ted Lasso, isn’t he? Such a strange man, and an American kissing the Canadian badge, wow!”

Another claimed: “The Ted Lasso vibes from Jesse Marsch are overwhelming,” while a fan stated Marsch was ‘leaning into’ the character: “Jesse Marsch really leans into the Ted Lasso thing.”

Others were even harsher on the World Cup boss, with one claiming the real man is more ‘cartoonish’: “Jesse Marsch famously didn’t like being likened to Ted Lasso. It was an unfair comparison. Ted Lasso is much less cartoonish.”

One asked for the ‘performative’ stuff to be kept to a minimum. “Less of this performative Ted Lasso bulls*** please. This team is winning and doing well despite Jesse. Not because of.”

The opening match of the last 32 at the 2026 World Cup saw some major VAR controversy towards the end of the first half in the game between Canada and South Africa at the Los Angeles Stadium.

Despite being the co-hosts of the tournament, Jesse Marsch’s side are playing outside of the Great White North after finishing second to Switzerland in Group B.

The first 45 minutes of the game were hardly memorable, although the Canucks had the better of the action and came close to breaking the deadlock on a number of occasions.

However, they will feel as though they should have had a spot-kick on the stroke of half time. South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau made a challenge in the penalty area, bringing down Richie Laryea just as he was about to send the ball into the centre of the box.

Canada Controversially Denied Penalty vs South Africa

Canada fans screamed for a penalty, as did boss Marsch on the sidelines. The referee in charge initially waved away the protests, awarding a goal kick.

As is customary with such incidents, VAR immediately renewed the contact and upheld the referee’s decision. Among those to be stunned by VAR’s failure to advise an on-field review was ITV’s referee analyst Christina Unkel, who insisted that Canada had been harshly treated.

“I would prefer to see a penalty given here. There is always an argument that the person stepped into the passing lane or the movement of the leg.

Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jessie Alcheh

“A good comparison example would be Brazil against Scotland where Vinicius Junior, where they gave a foul to take away the goal because he stepped into the stepping lane of that player.

“So these are the ones that are up for debate. We have seen very high thresholds from FIFA at these tournaments. However, I do want this to be a penalty. In my personal opinion, I do think this is a foul,” declared Unkel.

Jesse Marsch Confronts Referee After Canada Miss Out on Penalty

Marsch couldn’t believe his side had been denied the opportunity to try and take the lead in such a crucial game. Raging, he confronted the referee as the officials made their way off the pitch at the break.

The former Leeds head coach was criticized in some quarters for his approach in Canada’s final group match, where a 2-1 defeat to the Swiss saw them lose the chance to play on Canadian soil in the knockout stages. Already under pressure, the referee’s refusal to point to the spot left him fuming during the biggest game in his managerial career.

Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Manchester City and Arsenal in the race to sign one of Europe’s most highly sought-after teenage talents.

According to Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport, United are eyeing Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi amid a breakout World Cup campaign. The Moroccan midfielder has been one of the best performers during the international tournament and his exploits haven’t gone unnoticed.

The Red Devils’ transfer chiefs are in the process of overhauling Michael Carrick’s midfield. Replacing Casemiro is the priority, and Bouaddi is likened to their previous top target, Elliot Anderson, who joined City for £116m.

Man Utd Set Their Sights on Bouaddi

via Reuters

Bouaddi is in high demand and Manchester United join City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich in tracking the 18-year-old. He lit up Ligue 1 last season and has earned widespread acclaim for his performances at the World Cup.

Lille’s stance is that they prefer a sale which includes a one-year loan so he can continue developing with the French club. They are demanding €80-100m to part with the Moroccan wonderkid.

One club that is out of the picture is Paris Saint-Germain, who are not focused on signing a midfielder. The Parisians have instead prioritised a new winger and Yan Diomande has snubbed Liverpool in favour of a move to the Parc des Princes.

United’s interest in Bouaddi comes at an intriguing time as the club searches for a Casemiro replacement. They were also ready to offload Manuel Ugarte until the Uruguayan sustained a knee ligament injury while representing his country at the World Cup.

Bouaddi Could Transform Carrick’s Midfield

Carrick spent years controlling the tempo in United’s midfield, and he will likely have a huge say over his club’s midfield rebuild. Bouaddi possesses a profile that the Red Devils’ head coach will like, extremely gifted on the ball and a physical presence that could suit the Premier League.

Bouaddi’s defensive abilities are extremely impressive, and he is strong in the air thanks to his six-foot-one-inch frame. While he’s not the best going forward, he can leave that to Kobbie Mainoo, who could benefit from a partnership with the Moroccan.

The issue United have is that they are one of many top European giants keen on the ‘World Cup prodigy.’ Once a bid is made for the midfielder, you can imagine an auction will ensue, reaching Lille’s desired €100m valuation.