Canada manager Jesse Marsch shares passionate response to critics after viral post-win speech

The Canada Men's National Team made history when it notched a 1-0 win over South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, which earned Canada its first-ever World Cup knockout victory and first trip to the Round of 16 of a World Cup. 

Following the dramatic win, Canada manager Jesse Marsch went viral for the passionate post-game speech he delivered to his squad on the pitch. While speaking with reporters during a subsequent news conference, Marsch sent a message to those who may have felt he was putting on a show for viewers around the world.

Jesse Marsch doesn't care what anybody thinks of his style

"Yeah, people like to say that it’s performative to meet on the pitch, and frankly, I don’t give a s--- what people have to say," Marsch said, per Matt Clapp of Awful Announcing. "All I care about is our own team and what we do together. And in these moments, it’s hard, because after the game, everybody gets pulled in a million directions by media, and you don’t really have a chance to be with your team unless you take that moment right there." 

An American, Marsch previously served as a manager/coach for multiple Major League Soccer teams and for big-name international clubs Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Leeds United. As Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal and others have mentioned throughout June, the perception exists that Marsch has something to prove to US Soccer after he was passed over for the USMNT gig for this World Cup cycle.

Following Canada's win, Marsch said he doesn't "really care" about the United States' knockout game versus Bosnia and Herzegovina this coming Wednesday night. Canada faced Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier in the World Cup. 

Jesse Marsch seems to feel at home coaching Canada

During his viral on-the-pitch moment, Marsch repeatedly referred to his players as "Canadian heroes" who have ensured that the sport "has a big future" in the country.