June 12 (UPI) — Canada’s Jesse Marsch said he previously “had to beg” U.S. soccer players to sing the national anthem before games while working as an assistant for the Americans.

Marsch, now Canada’s head coach the 2026 World Cup, made the comments during a news conference Thursday in Toronto. Canada hired Marsch in 2024.

“Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian,” Marsch told reporters. “And the pride that they have in putting on the jersey, representing the country, hearing the national anthem.

“In the U.S., sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem. These guys sing the national anthem, belt it out to the top of their lungs, because they want to show the country how proud they are to be here, to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.”

The Racine, Wis., native worked on former U.S. coach Bob Bradley’s staff from 2010 to 11. That roster included Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.

Marsch was a candidate to take over as manager of the United States Men’s National Team in 2023, but the Americans rehired former coach Gregg Berhalter.

Marsch said that snub left him “devastated and angry.” He told Men in Blazers this week that he still wishes the Americans well.

“I want the U.S. national team to be good, but I would prefer us to be the last one standing. The U.S. national team, I coached a number of those players. I know a lot of people in the federation.

“Of course, there has been talk about my bitterness. Yeah, I was angry about how they handled my situation. But, in the end, I want the U.S. to do well. I think we want to represent our confederation to make sure that at future World Cups, we keep a number of the selections here.”

Marsch played in the MLS and for the United States Men’s National Team before his coaching career. He will lead the Canadians against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Group B opener Friday in Toronto.

The Canadians, who sit at No. 30 in the FIFA world rankings, are outside of the Top 20 betting favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. They share Group B with No. 19 Switzerland and No. 56 Qatar, in addition to No. 64 Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I think they are the best resource,” Masch said of the Canadian players. “I think they are the best representation. They are impeccable in their character. They are impeccable in their work ethic and commitment to each other. That’s what we want to show, man. That’s what we want to show against Bosnia.

“That’s what we want to show the country in this time moment of time and at this tournament.”

The Canadians failed to advance past the group stage in their previous two World Cup appearances. They failed to qualify for 12 of the 13 World Cups held from 1970 through 2018.

Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina will kick off at 3 p.m. EDT Friday at Toronto Stadium. The match will air on Fox.