Sports
Canada’s ‘Crazy’ World Cup Target and Honest Thoughts on USA
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and for the three host nations – Canada, Mexico and the United States of America – it will be a festival of football.
While Mexico and the USA have hosted the tournament before, Canada will have an opportunity to play host to the world for the first time ever on the biggest stage of all. There is a huge chance to show off the country’s culture, as well as their footballing talent, with household names such as Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.
Canada will be led into the tournament by their head coach Jesse Marsch, the American coach perhaps best known for his managerial stints with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and Leeds United in the Premier League. Having been in position with Les Rouges since May 2024, the 52-year-old has overseen the whole preparation for the competition, and is determined to better the nation’s best World Cup finish by getting out of the group stage.
GIVEMESPORT’s senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs spoke with Marsch after the World Cup draw in an exclusive interview with GMS.
With Canada’s first World Cup game now just days away, we take a look back at Marsch’s thoughts.
Canada’s Group Stage Opponents
Canada have been drawn into group B, where they take on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, and Qatar, a tough collection of teams that they will be keen to get past. While the national team are yet to taste success on the World Cup stage, Marsch is keen to get the side out of the group stage and into the knockout rounds for the first time ever.
“We want to win the group. For a country that has never won a World Cup game or even a point, that is a crazy statement, but I think, internally, our expectations are that at home we can be the aggressor against whoever we play, and that we can win the group.
“That’s no disrespect to any of our opponents. That was our aim before the group was drawn, and it is still the same after the draw. And one of the motivations for winning the group is that we get to stay in Canada. If we take second or third place then we have to go to the US [for the knockout stage].
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“Of course, it is not the easiest draw for us. I was giving a hard time to [Mauricio] Pochettino by saying he had such an easy draw. I think that it will be a test for us. Each opponent presents different kinds of challenges. I really respect Switzerland. Murat Yakin has been an incredible coach over the last 30 years, and he’s done a great job with their national team. The Switzerland team is really balanced with a lot of talent all over the pitch.
“And Qatar has got a globally-renowned manager in Julen Lopetegui. Qatar is a little bit like Canada. It’s an emerging football nation and they have some very talented players. We’ll have to make sure we are the aggressor in that game.”
At the time, Marsch wasn’t aware of the final group opponent, having had to watch through the UEFA playoffs to discover who that last team would be. While Italy, where the manager has resided, were marked as favourites, they were eventually beaten to that spot by Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are looking to make a mark in the competition.
Canada’s Star Players – Including Davies and David
Since sitting down to talk with GMS, Marsch has named his 26-man Canada squad that will be competing at the World Cup this summer.
There was a boost in Alphonso Davies being available, despite his ongoing injury concerns that saw him miss time through an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) issue and then a setback through a muscular problem. While it’s unclear how much time the star defender will be able to play, the head coach praised his impact back in March when discussing the Bayern Munich ace.
“He’s the captain. He’s one of the most vocal guys. He’s someone everybody looks up to. He’s clearly one of the leaders. He’s our best player. There is a lot more on his shoulders, and it’s a challenge for him, at a young age, to meet all the standards that we need from him. We’ve tried to really support him with a good leadership group.
“It will take a little bit of time to get him up to speed on everything that we’ve been doing, but I’ve been communicating with him a lot over the last months, and I know he’ll be ready to go this summer.”
Another star player in Jonathan David has had a difficult campaign, scoring just eight goals for Juventus following his free transfer last summer. Despite that, Marsch isn’t concerned about the 26-year-old.
“Of all the players in our squad, Johnny is last on my list of worries. He is very cool, very smart and doesn’t get stressed out. He has an incredible ability to stay on task and focus on the things that are most important. It is obviously important that he plays, has confidence and is in the rhythm of scoring goals, but that’s the kind of player Johnny is anyway.
“He’s not one of the guys that I need to babysit, that’s for sure. He’s a big personality in terms of just the magnetism behind who he is. Anyone that spends time with him sees how funny, smart and personable he is. And all of that tends toward the feeling that this guy’s got everything under control.”
Midfielder Ismael Kone is a player of great promise in the side too, with Marsch also outlining the quality he has for the national team.
“I get to see Ismael pretty closely every week He’s having an incredible season at Sassuolo. His confidence, tactical concentration and discipline have all grown this year, making him a responsible midfielder. I’m continuing to encourage him to be dynamic, sprint more and to be more physically present in games, but he’s got all the tools. I really like him. We have a good relationship and I think he knows we are helping to push him to the next level. This summer could be really big for him.”
Marsch’s Canada Talks
The Canada job is Marsch’s first dip into international management as the number one, having previously worked with Bob Bradley as part of the USMNT squad in 2010 until 2011. Before deciding to take the job with Les Rouges, the head coach revealed he spoke to other managers about the step into coaching with a team on the international stage.
“I had a few initial discussions with Canada Soccer maybe six months prior to when I first met Kevin Blue, but I didn’t think of it [the Canada head coach role] that seriously. And then when Kevin got the job, I heard he wanted to speak to me, and that he was good.
“I was here in Italy and I did a Zoom call with him. Right away, I could see that Kevin was different. He had a little bit more business acumen and an idea of how to build something. He knew how to raise the funds and hire the right kind of people. Right away I was like, ‘Okay, this is now more in line with the way that I think’. I started analysing the player pool, which I already knew a bit about, and I began to realise this was the project that I’d been looking for.
“When I left Leeds, if you had said to me, ‘Oh, you’re going to be the Canadian national team coach in a year-and-a-half,’ I would have said, ‘No way!’. Yet this job checked all the boxes: from good leadership, to people who valued relationships, to a player pool that was easy to manage and have relationships with and could physically play the game in the way that I wanted.
“And then the other ‘X factor’ was representing this country. I’ve always liked Canadians. I’ve always had friends that are Canadians. I’m from Wisconsin, which is not too far from Canada. There’s something about Canadians and their mindset, kindness and friendliness that resonates with who I am. So when I put it all together, it seemed like the perfect fit, and it has really turned out that way.”
Marsch has since signed a new four-year deal with Canada, which will see him guide the national team through the next phase of World Cup qualifiers for 2030. It was a process he revealed as being underway in the interview back in March, but is now firmly in position for his long-term future with the team.
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Donald Trump And World Cup Impact
One of the overarching stories of the World Cup comes from fellow host nation USA, as controversy has surrounded them and president Donald Trump leading into the tournament. Relations between Canada and America have been strained at times. For Marsch, however, it’s an opportunity for Canada to show what they’re all about on the world stage.
“As an American, from the very beginning, I thought this was a political decision by the US to involve Canada and Mexico so that they could ensure getting the bid. And yet, for Canada, this is a big moment in our history, so whether it is more centric around the United States – which I believe is the case – it is still an incredible opportunity for a nation like Canada, considering where we are at in the overall development of the sport in the country.
“It’s an incredible moment for us in our sporting and football history, and I don’t think it could have come at a better time. The tournament has also coincided with probably the best this team has ever been. We are at the highest ranking we’ve ever had. I think we have more players at big clubs in Europe than ever before. Clearly, the sport is establishing itself more and more, and so what a better time to host the World Cup than right now?”
Marsch and his group of players kickstart their World Cup campaign on June 12th against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Toronto Stadium, where they will eye up a first win in the tournament.
Manchester United are leading the race for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, according to a report from Germany.
The Red Devils are poised for a busy summer as they look to strengthen their ranks after securing a return to the Champions League.
Last summer, the Old Trafford outfit spent around £200million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko. The quartet have all proved sound investments and the Red Devils will be keen to get it right in the transfer market again as they face a busier schedule next campaign.
Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho – who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa – have all been released as Michael Carrick eyes new recruits.
Man Utd leading chase for Castello Lukeba
One player of interest to United is Lukeba from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
According to Fussball Daten in Germany, the Red Devils are the ‘leading suitors’ to sign the highly-rated centre-back. He has a reported release clause in his contract of around £77million.
His deal with Leipzig runs until 2029 but the report claims he is ‘ready for a new challenge’ after three years at the club.
The United hierarchy have already opened ‘concrete talks’ with the player’s agent as they look to win the race for the 23-year-old, who has been described as ‘one of the best young centre-backs in Europe’. The Red Devils already have several options in central defence.
Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are the current players at Carrick’s disposal and it is unclear what Lukeba’s potential arrival would mean for the current crop of centre-backs.
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United face a battle to sign Lukeba, however.
Spanish giants Barcelona – fresh off winning a second-straight La Liga title – want to bring the player to the Camp Nou.
They have reached out to the player’s agent to see how a deal could be structured as they are unlikely to pay his £77million release clause.
There is Premier League competition for the defender too.
Chelsea have been long-term admirers, along with Manchester City. Tottenham Hotspur also like the player but are only likely to attempt a move if Micky van de Ven departs the North London club this window.
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United and City can offer the player Champions League football while Chelsea and Spurs are not in any European competitions next campaign.
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also credited with an interest. It is claimed Leipzig could accept an offer below £77million but would still want at least £50million to part ways with Lukeba.
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Putting the question of how well England can do at the next World Cup to a predominantly British audience always produces interesting answers. For whatever reason, Three Lions supporters tend to be either wildly optimistic or convinced their team will crash out – there is rarely any middle ground. That divide has been evident once again after 10 pundits from across British broadcasters were asked to predict this summer’s tournament.
Under Thomas Tuchel, England’s first non-English manager since Fabio Capello in 2012, the Three Lions will be hoping to finally end a 60-year trophy drought on the other side of the Atlantic in the USA, Canada and Mexico. After becoming the first European nation to come through a full eight-match qualifying campaign with a perfect record and without conceding a goal, optimism was at a level rarely seen in recent years.
However, there are reasons to temper expectations. Key omissions, including Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire, have raised eyebrows, while a damp squib of a pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand – the tournament’s lowest-ranked side – suggested the players are still struggling to cope with the heat.
That result has brought many observers back down to earth ahead of England’s opening match against Croatia on June 17, serving as a reminder that there may still be a few bumps in the road to come. One Football has put in the hard yards to reveal how 10 renowned journalists view England’s chances of bringing football home.
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10 Renowned Pundits Have Predicted England’s 2026 World Cup
Gary Neville
What he said: “I’m never arrogant enough not to think quarterfinals is par for England. When you think about Italy aren’t even here. Quarter-final can be par if you lose against a great team, or some form of freak… To use the golf analogy: Par is quarters, I think for England, gotta be par, Birdie is semi-finals, Eagle is final, Albatross is winning it. I’m telling you, you’re talking about a hole-in-one on a par four. Or a two on a par five.
“If England win it, honestly, it’s a freak. Honestly, you’re talking about something that happens like once in a blue moon. In 10 days time, we’ll be England fans, and we’ll be saying ‘absolutely we can win it, no problem’, but do you honestly believe sitting here now that ‘we are going to win this tournament?”
Jamie Carragher
What he said: “I don’t think we’ll get there. I think if England got to the semi-final, I think they’ve done brilliant. In terms of individually, the centre-backs… That’s where I go back to what a lot of the squad is. What you’d call really good Premier League players. You go back to when you had Rio and John Terry. It’s not just that they were great players. They’re playing in the Champions League every week, every season.
“Talking about Marc Guehi, who went to Man City in January, so the majority of his career at a good level – Crystal Palace, really good, did well at City – and Ezri Konsa – won the Europa League – but it’s not coming up against that level of player, week after week, season after season. And it’s just that’s what we’ve got, that’s the best of what we’ve got, it doesn’t mean they’re bad players.”
Ian Wright
What he said: “I think we’ve got a good chance, especially with Harry Kane up front. That’s what I believe.”
Ian Wright, known as the loving uncle of English football, is ever the optimist in any studio he’s a part of. It’s hardly a surprise to learn that he’s excited by the Three Lions’ chances, resting his hopes on the goalscoring prowess of Harry Kane, who has scored 67 goals since the start of last season, and is among the frontrunners for the 2026 Ballon d’Or as a result.
Roy Keane
What he said: “Do I see England winning the World Cup? Absolutely not. Do you know what? When I looked at the squad and particularly defensively, I’m not convinced. And I don’t want to see any stats from anybody say, ‘Oh, they’ve done this in the last two years’ or whatever.
“Some of these games in the qualifying campaigns have been quite easy, but I just don’t see it come a crunch game in the quarter to the semi-finals, whether they’re chasing the game or defending it. The defenders… I’m just not convinced. It’s the centre-halves that would be worrying me. Imagine playing France and the game’s getting stretched… I don’t know.”
Roy Keane couldn’t be less like the aforementioned Wrighty, and the ridiculously high standards he set himself and his teammates during his own playing career has filtered into his punditry work. Angered by everything, never impressed by anything – the Irishman was never going to predict England would see gold.
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Gary Lineker
What he said: “I quite like the way Saka has returned to form at the end of the season. Saka’s had his injuries, but I also look at some of our players and I think, especially the ones with spells out, normally you look at our players – particularly from the Premier League – and they look a little bit knackered.
“But a lot of our star players have had spells out whether it is Saka, Harry Kane has been rested quite a lot, the players playing abroad like Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford are looking fit and really strong. That could help us. It would be glorious [to win it], I think. I was five when we won it and have zero memory, so I would love it to happen in my lifetime. I think it will be tough this one, for lots of reasons, but I don’t think it is impossible. I think we’re with an outside shot.”
Alan Shearer
What he said: “I think with the talent that we have… success, I guess, is winning. But when you think about who you’re going up against, Spain or France or Brazil or Argentina, maybe Portugal, I just think as you go deep into the tournament, (there will be) squads better than England. If we defend really well and Harry can do what he’s done, then we have got a live chance of winning it. If we’re going to go deep, then Harry has to fly.”
Lineker’s right-hand man, Alan Shearer has also rested his expectations on the shoulders of Kane. Interestingly, though, he made no mention of the defensive struggles England might encounter like many of fellow pundits have – instead, he gave a positive outlook on that front.
Micah Richards
What he said: “When you look at our starting lineup, I think we have a really good chance. But I feel everyone has to play to the best of their capabilities. In some other teams, you might be able to carry someone. Kylian Mbappe might not do the work off the ball but on the ball you know he will come up with that moment of magic.
“With England at times, too many players have been playing in their shell. Jude Bellingham has had those big moments, but who else? We need more players like that with personality to say ‘this is our time’. I’ll always be confident of England getting to the semi-finals, but they all need to be at their best – if one of them is off, no, I don’t think it comes home.”
Wayne Rooney
What he said: “England and Spain will make the final, and hopefully England will win it. I’m going with Kane to get the Golden Boot.”
Ai believes one other player will pip Kane to the World Cup Golden Boot award, but you can’t knock Rooney’s confidence in believing the Three Lions will go all the way. A part of the 2007 Golden Generation team, the retired Manchester United legend never got that close during his international career, but the times-are-a-changing.
Joe Hart
What he said: “England [will lift the trophy]. But I am not actually that bothered whether I am right or wrong. I just like to back my people and I want England to do it.”
It would seem Joe Hart, England’s former number one, always backs his country to win. But he immediately second-guessed himself by then suggesting he doesn’t care if he’s right or wrong…
Thomas Frank
What he said: “To win the World Cup you need individual quality, and England have definitely got that. Their midfield is very strong and if they can put the right defence together, it is strong enough. They have a real chance. The team will be well-structured because Thomas Tuchel is a top coach, plus they have experience in these tournaments, and I am sure they will get their togetherness right because they seem to have some fantastic characters and leaders in the group.”
It isn’t very often that England are taken seriously by neutral observers, as proven by Keane’s brutal verdict. But as the one on this list with arguably the best contemporary football knowledge (given that he was still a working Premier League manager earlier this year), then Thomas Frank’s verdict is particularly interesting.
Gary Neville and Roy Keane have joined fellow ITV pundit Ian Wright in condemning the decision not to allow referee Omar Artan into the USA for the 2026 World Cup.
Artan, known as the ‘best referee in Africa’, was interrogated upon his arrival in the States before being turned away. The White House claimed they believed the official had ties to a terrorist group, which is why they didn’t allow him to enter the country.
However, the US and FIFA have received strong backlash for the decision, including from Wright on social media. Football’s governing body released a statement, confirming they would not get involved with the issue, and Artan would indeed be absent from the competition.
Gary Neville Slams ‘Ridiculous’ Visa Debacle
Speaking on ITV’s coverage of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa, Neville was asked about the ongoing controversy that had preceded the tournament’s kick-off. Not only with Artan, but also the situation involving Iran.
“We have seen it in Russia, we have seen it in Qatar and now we are seeing it in America, which has got the visa issues, obviously, for the referee,” the retired England footballer said.
Neville then continued, saying that ‘common sense has prevailed’ regarding Iran being allowed to play their matches in the US, even if they must train in Mexico, but was baffled FIFA didn’t insist on their referees all being allowed in the country. He ranted:
“Fans are obviously having issues getting into the country, the Iranian team it looks like common sense has mainly prevailed with them and they are now able to travel – even though they are not in this country but they are in Mexico.
“We have to get referees in that are obviously FIFA officials, I don’t know why FIFA haven’t been stronger on that issue.”
“To me it is ridiculous the fact the referee is not able to come into this country. He is a FIFA referee, he is basically someone who has been lauded as being one of the very best.”
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The ex-Manchester United defender believes the host nations should allow their countries to be ‘given over’ to visitors for the World Cup. He added:
“You have got that statue over your shoulder, the Statue of Liberty. I don’t think he’ll be feeling that right now. He is being celebrated like a hero in his own country and rightly so.
“When you host a World Cup, you are effectively giving over your land to the world of football for four to five to six weeks. We need tolerance and people who can accept that everybody comes from a different part of the world and that’s not happened here.”
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Roy Keane Agrees With Colleagues on World Cup Issues
Following Neville’s full comments on the issue, Wright once again reiterated that he’s firmly against what has been happening off the pitch. Keane was the last one to give his view, but he agreed with his colleagues.
The Irishman said: “We shouldn’t shy away from the problems that are facing officials, supporters and teams. Once the game gets underway today and the ceremony starts, hopefully it will all be positive from there onwards.”
Keane is hoping for attention to now turn to matters on the pitch, just as many watching from home or the stands will be too.
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