Canada's coach bets on the "fatigue of the lions."

Jesse Marsch, the coach of the Canadian national team, stated that physical readiness could be one of the key factors that will determine the upcoming match against the Moroccan national team next Saturday in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, noting that his team aims to capitalize on the difference in physical effort after the marathon match that the "Lions" played against the Netherlands.

Marsch confirmed in media statements that the Canadian team has shown high physical levels since the start of the tournament, considering that the statistics reflect the ability of his players to maintain the same pace throughout the matches, which gives them additional confidence before facing the Moroccan team.

The Canadian coach said: "If you look at the running data in our matches, you will find that we have covered great distances and managed the games this way. We have outperformed all our competitors in running, so we know we are in good physical shape."

He added: "It is more about managing training loads, especially with rising temperatures, so as not to tire the players. Knowing that Morocco played 120 minutes against the Netherlands, we have to tell ourselves that one of the advantages we might have is being fresher and more physically ready."

Marsch emphasized that the Canadian team will not abandon its tactical identity, explaining that the adjustments he will make will be related to the specifics of the Moroccan team, without compromising the philosophy that his team has adopted since the beginning of the tournament.

He added: "We will not change our identity, but we use some tactical details to deal with each opponent. People like to say that we always play in a 4-2-2-2 formation, and that is not always true. At times we press with a 4-3-3 formation, and sometimes we play with a 4-2-3-1, or we adopt an asymmetrical organization when we have the ball."

He continued discussing the tactical aspect, saying: "Sometimes we build play with three defenders, and sometimes with four, so it is naive for people to put us in a single tactical mold, because that simply means they are not closely observing what we are doing."

Regarding the captain of the Canadian team, Alphonso Davies, Marsch clarified that the final decision about his starting participation against Morocco has not yet been made, although he confirmed that the player has regained his readiness after making his first appearance in the tournament during the match against South Africa, coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute, marking his first participation with the Canadian national team since March 2025.