Canada's men's national football team has qualified for the World Cup knockout stage, but their dream of hosting more games in their home country has been crushed. The team, led by manager Jesse Marsch, lost their final group game to Switzerland 2-1 in Vancouver, which means they will finish second in Group B.
Speaking after the match, Marsch expressed his disappointment but also emphasized the team's determination to push forward. 'We wanted to be here in Vancouver, but we still have a massive opportunity ahead of us to find a way to push for the next match and find a way to still electrify the nation, even though it'll be from Los Angeles,' he said.
Striker Jonathan David also reflected on the team's performance, stating that it was 'mixed emotions' after the loss. 'We're a bit disappointed and it's mixed emotions. Obviously, we wanted to stay in Vancouver, so not getting that is a blow for everyone, but we'll talk about it and get ready for the next one.'
The knockout fixtures for the World Cup will see three matches staged in Canada, including last-32 matches in Vancouver and Toronto, and a last-16 game in Vancouver. However, Canada's next game will be played in Los Angeles, which is a major blow to their home advantage.
Former Leeds boss Marsch has guided Canada out of the group stage at a World Cup for the first time, and the team will now focus on their next match against South Africa in the knockout round.