Jesse Marsch, the head coach of Canada’s men’s soccer team, wants to extend his contract before the start of the World Cup in June.
“We’ve continued to evolve the program, and improve the program, in a way where people think positively about what the possibilities are for the future of the sport, and my involvement in it,” Marsch said in an exclusive interview with CBC Sports at his home in Italy.
“It’s led me to say, let’s visit what this would look like.”
Canada Soccer confirmed it is in discussions with Marsch, whose existing deal expires at the end of July.
“Both of our goals are to get something done before the World Cup,” Marsch said.
The 52-year-old cited his bond with Kevin Blue, Canada Soccer’s CEO, as one the reasons he’d like to continue in his role.
“Kevin and I have an amazing relationship,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve had a better working relationship with anybody I’ve ever worked with.
“Then I look at the overall project and mission and program, and I think that together we can have a really strong impact, in a really positive way.”
Marsch’s public desire to extend his contract comes at an interesting time.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch joins CBC Sports to discuss squad depth, transfers, Champions League opportunities, and the upcoming Romania friendly as Canada builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup
When the American-born coach took over Canada’s men in May 2024, they were ranked 49th in the world.
They had climbed to 31st by the end of that year. Blue broached a possible extension in February 2025, which Marsch felt was too soon.
“The wave of popular opinion of a national team coach can swing so strongly from one direction to another,” he said. “I told Kevin, let’s see how things go.”
By September 2025, he’d lifted his team to 26th, the best ranking in its history, and Marsch’s own stock continued to rise. Canada’s men currently sit 27th, their highest year-end finish.
But this summer will be a defining one. Canada will co-host the men’s World Cup with the U.S. and Mexico, and it will enter its first game in Toronto on June 12 under unprecedented weight. Failure to get out of its group, which will include Switzerland, Qatar, and the winner of a UEFA playoff, will be considered a massive disappointment.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, Canada was placed in Group B which also has Qatar, Switzerland and the yet-to-be-determined winner of Playoff A. Canada’s World Cup opener is set for June 12 in Toronto.
Should the worst-case scenario strike and Marsch has been renewed, Canada Soccer will look hurried, locked into a suddenly unfortunate deal.
If Canada meets or exceeds expectations — Marsch has said internally that a semifinal appearance is within reach, a seismic result — then having him under a long-term contract will seem like a coup, especially when big nations that stumble will be looking for a post-tournament saviour.
Marsch has told Blue that he’s not looking to jump. “I told him flat out, I’m more likely to retire after the World Cup than I am to go to another job,” he said.
The salary negotiations will remain delicate. When Canada Soccer first signed Marsch, Blue had to get creative to make the numbers work.
Marsch’s official title is the MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach, because the owners of Canada’s three Major League Soccer teams each reportedly contribute $500,000 to his total salary, which Canada Soccer would struggle to afford on its own.
John Herdman, Marsch’s predecessor, made $700,000 per year.
The generosity of the MLS owners has been cast as philanthropy. But because so much of soccer’s business is built on transfer fees — players are bought and sold rather than traded — that money can also be considered an investment.
Ali Ahmed, a midfielder who has thrived for Canada under Marsch, was sold by the Vancouver Whitecaps to English Championship side Norwich City earlier this month for a reported €2 million, or about $3.2 million Cdn. Some part of his market value is directly attributable to Marsch and the exposure Ahmed has received with the national team.
“His performances have just continued to escalate,” Marsch said.
But it’s unclear if the owners will re-up their commitment. The Whitecaps are for sale and a new owner could decline to participate, presumably leaving Canada Soccer to make up a significant difference, even if MLSE (Toronto FC) and Joey Saputo (CF Montreal) remain on board.
So, negotiations continue, and Marsch is going about his work.
Although there isn’t an official international window in January, he has taken a team of out-of-season players to Los Angeles for a Saturday friendly against Guatemala, including promising youngsters like 17-year-old Shola Jimoh.
Marsch’s job is to help make Jimoh’s soccer dreams come true.
In return, Canada’s coach now has a wish of his own.
