The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues Thursday, and so do our 2026 World Cup picks. We have four more matches on tap today. It’s also the first time we’ll see clubs play their second match of the World Cup.
At 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX, Czechia and South Africa meet in Group A play in Atlanta. At 3:00 p.m. ET, also on FOX, Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet in Inglewood, California, in Group B action.
At 6:00 p.m. ET, Canada and Qatar square off in Vancouver on FS1, while Mexico and South Korea tangle at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico at 9:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
All of the matchups are available on Telemundo and FOX One, too. Let’s build our bankroll with our top 2026 World Cup picks and predictions for Thursday, June 18th.
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Thursday’s Best 2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Czechia (-115) vs. South Africa (+340) | Draw (+250) | O/U 2.5 (+112/-140)
Czechia opened play with a 2-1 setback against South Korea. After a scoreless first half, Ladislav Krejči gave Czechia a 1-0 lead before South Korea replied just eight minutes later. At the 80th-minute mark, South Korea struck for the game-winning tally.
Czechia managed just 38% possession and was outshot 6-to-4. Czechia was just 70% accurate on chances, too, while committing 16 fouls. South Korea was much better with 56 duels won, to just 38 for Czechia.
South Africa headed into hostile territory for its opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and it suffered a 2-0 loss to the World Cup co-hosts.
Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane picked up red cards, and they’re suspended for this match, making it even more of an uphill battle. South Africa had just 40% possession and posted just 81% passing accuracy. It also won only 33 duels, compared to 47 for Mexico.
Both sides lost in the opening match, and both can ill afford another setback. Even a draw would put them at a disadvantage going forward. Three points are a must, and with Patrik Schick, Czechia has a good shot at getting the job done. Keeper Ronwen Williams is tough, however. Look for a 1-0 kind of a win for Czechia, so we’ll be going low on the total.
Picks: Czechia Moneyline (-115) & Under 2.5 Goals (-140)
Switzerland (-185) vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (+500) | Draw (+300) | O/U 2.5 (+100/-122)
Switzerland scored an early goal by Breel Embolo at the 17th-minute mark on a penalty kick, and the European side appeared to be well on its way to victory.
However, Qatar had other plans. We got into stoppage time in the second half, and Miro Muheim suffered the own goal, as Qatar made history with its first-ever World Cup point. It was a nice consolation prize after getting boat-raced as hosts in 2022.
The Swiss dominated the match, posting a 3.20 expected goals mark, to just 0.60 for Qatar. It had a 68% possession mark, too, while supplying seven shots on goal with five big chances created, and subsequently missed.
For Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jovo Lukić got his nation off to a great start against co-host Canada, scoring at the 21st-minute mark. The European representative was trying to make it a nightmare start for Canada, which was searching for its first-ever World Cup point.
At the 78th-minute mark, substitute Cyle Larin came on and leveled the score 1-1. Bosnia-Herzegovina was playing without striker Edin Džeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabaković (undisclosed). However, Lukić started for Dzeko, and the goal was his first in international play in just his fourth cap.
We’re going to believe in Switzerland in this matchup, but look for another low-scoring affair.
Picks: Switzerland Moneyline (-180) & Under 2.5 Goals (-122)
Canada (-380) vs. Qatar (+1000) | Draw (+490) | O/U 2.5 (-144/+118)
Co-host nation Canada survived a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina and now heads into its second match looking to make history. After earning its first-ever World Cup point, Canada aims for its first-ever win. It should get it.
Qatar stunned Switzerland, as the latter was charged with a late own goal in stoppage time. It still has a lot of work to do to simply survive, especially against the host nation.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies (hamstring) was sidelined in the 1-1 draw vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, but he might be able to go today. His fitness is apparently very good, and it appears likely Davies will be called upon in some capacity, even if only as a late substitute, in the event of disaster striking and the offense needs a shot in the arm.
It’s hard to envision Canada not topping Qatar, but at the same time, this is a Canadian side that has never won a World Cup match. The best bet here is to hope Davies not only plays, but he is in the starting XI. Let’s lay the goal and a half, but also play the under, essentially paving the way for a 2-0 result.
Picks: Canada Two-Way Spread -1.5 (-130) & Under 2.5 Goals (+118)
Mexico (+105) vs. South Korea (+300) | Draw (+220) | O/U 2.5 (+134/-164)
Another co-host is in action, as Mexico looks to keep its foot on the gas at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara against South Korea.
El Tri picked up a 2-0 win over South Africa, as Bafana Bafana played a good chunk of the matchup down two players due to red cards. César Montes of Mexico earned a red card of his own, in stoppage time no less, so he is suspended for this match.
South Korea had goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh-Hyeon-gyu, stunning Czechia 2-1 in the opener. A win for either nation all but guarantees advancement out of the group stages.
The difference here is that Mexico is playing in front of a raucous crowd. However, South Korea is a battle-tested group, and I like the draw here, despite the host-nation advantage and hostile environment. Let’s go low on the total, too.
Picks: Draw (+220) & Under 2.5 Goals (-164)
