As the Concacaf Nations League semifinals kick off this week, the head coaches of the four competing teams are making one thing clear: football and politics should remain separate. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions among the nations involved, the coaches emphasized their commitment to keeping the focus on the sport.
Two days before the semifinal matches at SoFi Stadium in California, United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Canada’s Jesse Marsch downplayed the impact of political discourse on the tournament. Their comments come amid heated relations between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Panama, fueled by trade disputes and diplomatic disagreements.
“I think we can’t mix political things with sport,” said Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager. “It’s not because I don’t want to talk. I have my ideas. But I represent the federation, and I don’t want to talk about politics.”
Football First: Coaches Set the Tone
The U.S. will take on Panama in the first semifinal tonight, followed by a high-stakes clash between Canada and Mexico. The winners will face off in Sunday’s championship match, marking the conclusion of a competition designed to elevate national teams across the region.
Canada’s Marsch echoed Pochettino’s sentiment, stressing that sports should remain a unifying force.
“I’m not going to get political right now,” Marsch said. “I think I’ve made my statements clear and known. What I do believe is that international tournaments like this can bring people together. We should focus on the game, support the players, and let football be the bridge between cultures.”
Sports and Politics: A Recurring Theme
Political tension in North American sports has been a hot topic in recent months. At the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament last month, tensions ran high when Montreal fans booed the U.S. national anthem. Canada went on to win the title, intensifying nationalist sentiment in both countries.
Marsch, a Wisconsin native, previously criticized rhetoric from U.S. officials about Canada’s status as an independent nation. In a February press conference, he called for respect between the two countries and denounced dismissive attitudes toward Canada.
“As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we’ve shown one of our oldest, strongest, and most loyal allies,” Marsch said at the time. Though he avoided repeating those remarks this week, he acknowledged that political narratives do impact the atmosphere surrounding international sports.
Panama’s Coach Stays Neutral
Panama’s head coach, Thomas Christiansen, also distanced himself from political discussions. A Danish native, Christiansen has led Panama’s national team since 2020. His country has been at the center of tensions with the U.S., particularly following recent comments by former President Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal.
Two weeks ago, controversy erupted after Trump claimed the U.S. was “reclaiming” the Panama Canal following an American company’s acquisition of a controlling interest in a Chinese-owned operator of the canal’s ports. The statement sparked outrage in Panama, but Christiansen made it clear that politics would not be a factor in his team’s preparations.
“It’s not a plan of motivation, talking about politics,” Christiansen stated. “It’s not my area. I prefer to leave it behind. Politics, it’s not my thing.”
Pochettino: Let the Game Speak for Itself
For Pochettino, who took over as U.S. head coach just six months ago, the emphasis remains on football.
“People are not waiting for us to talk about politics,” he said. “That doesn’t mean I don’t have my values or my vision of the situation. But my job is to prepare this team to win.”
As the tournament unfolds, the focus remains on the competition itself. Despite external political pressures, the players and coaches are determined to let their performances on the pitch speak louder than any headlines.
