'Come to Canada': Marsch hopes Copa America success helps recruit more dual nationals

Canada coach Jesse Marsch hopes his team's success at Copa America will have dual nationals thinking twice about playing for a different country.

Hired in May as John Herdman's successor, Marsch helped Canada to a sensational run at the Copa — his first tournament as manager.

Canada defeated Venezuela on penalty kicks in the quarterfinal before falling 2-0 to eventual champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in the semis. The Canadians then gave heavily favoured Uruguay a run for their money in the consolation final, but lost 4-3 on penalties after giving up an injury-time equalizer to Luis Suarez.

"Maybe some players were thinking that the opportunity to go to a different nation might be better because they might be able to compete more at the international level," Marsch said Tuesday at Centre Nutrilait, CF Montreal's training facility. "I think that now that we've shown that we can compete, the recruitment process I think will hopefully be a little bit easier and cleaner.

"[We can] say: `Come to Canada and we can really make some big waves in the World Cup in 2026."'

WATCH | Marsch joins CBC Sports to reflect on Copa America run:

Canada gains automatic entry to the next World Cup as a co-host with the United States and Mexico. Marsch said he's identified "up to 10" dual nationals to evaluate as he looks to build the strongest roster possible for 2026.

The 50-year-old American didn't divulge any names, but that list likely includes striker Daniel Jebbison of Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, winger Luca Koleosho of England's Burnley and fullback Mohamed Farsi of Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, among others.

There's also the case of Vancouver Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld. The 28-year-old is a Scottish