Jesse Marsch has written his name into the history books. By steering Canada through the group stage of the FIFA World Cup — including a 6-0 demolition of Qatar — the 52-year-old coach has delivered the country's first-ever knockout-stage appearance at a World Cup. On Sunday, Canada face South Africa in Los Angeles, with a place in the last 16 on the line.

A career built on setbacks

Marsch's path to this moment was far from smooth. After keeping Leeds United in the Premier League on the final day of the 2021-22 season, he was sacked just months later following a seven-game winless run — a decision he later branded "foolish." The dismissal stung a man who had spent years building toward coaching at the highest level.

A fresh opportunity appeared to arrive in 2024 when the United States head coach position opened up. Marsch believed the role was effectively his — only for the USA hierarchy to hand it instead to Mauricio Pochettino. "What happened with the USA role burns with him, but it burns with him in a way that helps him now," Soccer America's Scott French, who has worked with Marsch previously, told BBC Sport. "He has a chip on his shoulder."

Building something in Canada

Canada came calling in May 2024. Marsch accepted the job with a pledge to "unite the Canadian soccer community" and set his sights firmly on the FIFA World Cup 2026. From day one he was all in — visiting nine cities in ten days, meeting fans, absorbing Canadian culture, and forging deep personal bonds with his players.

Those bonds stretched beyond the training pitch. Marsch invited players and their families to his home in Italy for holidays and made personal visits to any player battling serious injury. Midfielder Liam Miller, who suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in late 2024, is a telling example. At his lowest, Miller doubted whether he would recover to his former level. Marsch made the time to visit him repeatedly during rehabilitation and welcomed him to his Italian home during his recovery. Miller not only returned to full fitness but helped Hull City win promotion back to the Premier League — and is now a key figure in Canada's World Cup squad.

"I've got to know all the players but Liam I have got to know really well," Marsch said. "I think our relationship has become something that he has come to rely on."

Mind games and histrionics

Not everything has gone to plan. Canada's defeat to Switzerland in their final group game cost them top spot — and, critically, a home-soil fixture for the knockout round, forcing them to travel to Los Angeles rather than play in front of their own supporters.

Marsch also drew raised eyebrows for listing Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich on the bench against Switzerland as a tactical bluff, later admitting the captain was never fit enough to play. "I wanted Switzerland to have to think about him," he explained. "I listened to their news conference and they had three questions about Alphonso Davies, so they at least had to prepare for that."

His touchline celebrations after the Qatar rout — parading the pitch and holding up six fingers to the fans — divided opinion. French defended the behaviour: "Some people think it is an act. I don't think it is an act at all — Jesse is always Jesse. He is an emotional guy and that emotion really carries with his players."

Marsch himself is candid about the polarising effect he has. "The players know now either they have confidence in me or they are stuck with me," he joked. "Either way, the relationships we have and the kind of team we have has been a reflection of all of us giving everything we have — and the pride we have in representing Canada."

With South Africa standing between Canada and the last 16, Marsch shows no sign of relenting. "We are ready to rise to all the challenges and be our best," he said. "We live for these moments where we are tested and can show how good we are."