Canada manager savages Donald Trump over 51st state jibes ahead of co-hosted World Cup
Canada’s American-born football manager Jesse Marsch has launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump over his repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state.
The former Leeds United boss described Trump’s rhetoric as “ridiculous” and “frankly insulting” amid escalating tensions between the neighbouring nations.
Marsch, who took charge of Canada in May 2024, said he was “ashamed” of the American president’s stance towards one of the country’s most loyal allies.
The row comes as both nations prepare to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico.
“If I have one message to our president, it’s lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state,” said Marsch, who was born in Wisconsin.
“As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”
The Wisconsin native, who once played for the US national team, contrasted the two nations’ political climates.
“Canada is a strong, independent nation that’s deep-rooted in decency, unlike the polarised, disrespectful and often now hateful climate that is in the US,” he added.
Trump reiterated his desire for the United States to absorb Canada during Wednesday’s inaugural cabinet meeting of his second term.
“I say Canada should be our 51st state. It’s not fair for us to be supporting Canada, and if we don’t support them, they don’t subsist as a nation,” Trump declared.
The American president has also announced tariffs against Canada, scheduled to take effect on 4 March.
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“The tariffs will make it impossible for them to sell cars into the United States. The tariffs will make it impossible for them to sell lumber or anything else,” Trump warned.
Canada meet Mexico in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League on 21 March, with the winner facing either the US or Panama in the final two days later.
Marsch, who has won six of his 13 games in charge, acknowledged the heightened significance of these fixtures.
“These international tournaments for Canada mean something different now,” he said.
The Canadian team is seeking their first piece of silverware since 2000 in the Nations League.
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“I know this will fuel our team, the mentality and will that we have to play for our country,” Marsch added.
The sporting tensions have already boiled over during recent encounters between the two nations.
A 4 Nations ice hockey competition saw three fights break out in the first nine seconds when Canada and the US met.
American fans jeered the Canadian national anthem, which was sung with altered lyrics in protest at Trump’s statements.
After Canada won the final in overtime, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X: “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.”
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The hostility has spread to other sports, with Canadian fans repeatedly booing the American national anthem at NBA and NHL games.
The diplomatic chill comes at a particularly awkward time as the US, Canada and Mexico prepare to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended Trump’s inauguration in January alongside Elon Musk.
The tournament, just over 18 months away, could see the host nations face each other amid unprecedented geopolitical tensions.
Trump has previously made inflammatory comments about Mexico, claiming the country is “bringing drugs, crime and rapists” into the US.