Jesse Marsch acknowledged he would have to make some tough decisions when selecting Canada’s World Cup squad after their 0-0 draw with Tunisia on Tuesday.
In what was their final match before announcing their squad for FIFA’s flagship tournament, the co-hosts failed to fire against Sabri Lamouchi’s side at BMO Field.
Tani Oluwaseyi squandered Canada’s best opening in the first half, before Ali Ahmed and Junior Hoilett forced late stops from visiting goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh.
Canada’s stalemate came after drawing 2-2 with Iceland, while an injury to centre-back Ralph Priso in the 26th minute worsened Marsch’s defensive crisis.
However, the former Leeds United boss was pleased with the tenacity and spirit on display by his team, adding that he was optimistic of a successful World Cup campaign.
“Guys are really willing to sacrifice themselves to do whatever to help the team be successful,” Marsch said. “It’s a pleasure to be their coach.
“We’ve got some tough decisions coming up over the next eight weeks, but I really like our team, I really like our chances.”
No winner tonight, but we keep building!
Pas de vainqueur ce soir. Mais on continue de progresser!
#CANMNT pic.twitter.com/io3JCnL14r
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) April 1, 2026
But Canada will enter the World Cup with confidence, having recorded four clean sheets in their last five matches. They are also unbeaten in their last five games.
However, it is in the final third where they have struggled. Marsch’s men have now failed to score from open play in six of their last seven matches.
They ended with an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.9 from their 14 shots, six of which were on target, compared to Tunisia’s 0.3 from their four attempts.
Canada have no goals from open play in the last four games at Toronto’s BMO Field, where they will open their World Cup campaign on June 12 against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“We would have liked to score more goals, but I think we were creating chances. We’re dangerous throughout games. We’re controlling matches,” Marsch added.
“We’re playing against good opponents, so I’m not going to get negative or down on this group.
“I know we have quality in the team, and I know that we can score goals. Teams are defending harder against us, and they’re taking us more seriously.
“They understand that when you come and play us, that it’s a talented group with a lot of speed and power.
“So, they know they have to be organised defensively and deep often and not give much away.”
