Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has said that an American sense of entitlement rubs many the wrong way, which was perhaps perfectly illustrated in the saga over Folarin Balogun's overturned red card at the World Cup.
The Wisconsin nativehas never been shyabout expressing his feelings about his home country or the team he nearly coached.
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Marsch was in the running to take over the U.S. men's national team in 2023, but ultimately was passed over in favor of Gregg Berhalter. He would later declare that he "wasn't treated very well" in the interview process. In 2024, he was named head coach of Canada.
The 52-year-old has continued to speak out regarding issues on and off the pitch, and had his say on perhaps the biggest controversy in the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun was showna straight red card in a 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. As the USMNT star was preparing to serve an automatic one-game ban against Belgium in the round of 16, controversy erupted.
Balogun's suspensionwas reversedthe day before the Belgium game, surprisingly giving the U.S. back one of its most crucial players.
Malik Tillmanof the U.S. celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
AUnited Statesfan shows support for their team by holding up a scarf during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
A fan of the United States poses for a photograph before theFIFA World Cup2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
A fan of the United States looks on in the stands before theFIFA World Cup 2026Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Francois Nel, Getty Images)
A United States fan wearing a Statue of Liberty costume displays a replica World Cup trophy inside the stadium before the match.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
United States fans inside the stadium before the match.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
A fan of the United States holds signs in support of the team before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
A fan of the United States looks on in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
United States fan wears an eagle costume inside the stadium before the match.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
A fan of the United States looks on in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
Fans of theUnited Statespose for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
Fans of the United States show their support in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
A fan of the United States poses for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
A fan of the United States poses for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
Fans of the United States pose for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
A United States fan is seen wearing a soccer ball hat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
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US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
Malik Tillmanof the U.S. celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
1/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
Malik Tillmanof the U.S. celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
2/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
AUnited Statesfan shows support for their team by holding up a scarf during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
3/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States poses for a photograph before theFIFA World Cup2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
4/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States looks on in the stands before theFIFA World Cup 2026Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Francois Nel, Getty Images)
5/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A United States fan wearing a Statue of Liberty costume displays a replica World Cup trophy inside the stadium before the match.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
6/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
United States fans inside the stadium before the match.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
7/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States holds signs in support of the team before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
8/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States looks on in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
9/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
United States fan wears an eagle costume inside the stadium before the match.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
10/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States looks on in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
11/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
Fans of theUnited Statespose for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
12/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
Fans of the United States show their support in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
13/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States poses for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
14/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A fan of the United States poses for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
15/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
Fans of the United States pose for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
16/16
US fans show pride at World Cup match with Bosnia-Herzegovina
A United States fan is seen wearing a soccer ball hat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
According to Marsch, the incident was a demonstration of why many around the world have a distaste for Americans.
"We, as Americans, have been inundated with propaganda since we were young," Marschtold The Guardian."We're the No 1 country in the world, we deserve everything, we dominate everything, No 1 in every aspect of life. This is what we've been told. So, when things happen and we don't feel like we're in control of it … we feel like we deserve to be treated differently because we're Americans. That is one of the things that infuriates the rest of the world about Americans. And Americans don't know that if they don't ever leave the country.
"So what I feel when the Balogun ruling happens is that would never happen in any other country in the world, and this is why everyone around the world hates America. That was proven to be so. The U.S. had had a good World Cup, was doing well. All that switched in one moment. But do I think that that's about corruption and unfairness? The problem is, football is inundated with this kind of stuff."
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Even with Balogun available, the USMNT was dispatched 4-1 in the round of 16 against a motivated Belgium side.
Canada also bowed out in the round of 16, losing to Morocco after defeating South Africa in the round of 32 for the nation's first men's World Cup knockout win.
