The 2026 World Cup continues on Thursday with Groups A and B in action.
Here’s what you need to know for Day 8 of the World Cup.
Thursday, June 18 | 12 p.m. ET | Atlanta | TV: Fox
Odds: Czechia (-125), South Africa (+340), Tie (+260)
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This is a must-win for both teams after both teams lost their openers. South Africa fell 2-0 to Mexico in the first game of the World Cup while Czechia lost 2-1 to South Korea.
South Africa will be without both midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane for the rest of the group stage after they both received straight red cards against Mexico. Sithole was sent off for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity while Zwane was ejected for contact to Roberto Alvarado’s face. Will South Africa’s game plan be more aggressive now that it isn’t playing one of the host nations?
Czechia will look to hold onto a lead after it failed to do so against South Korea. Ladislav Krejci scored in the 59th minute, but the game was tied just eight minutes later.
Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Thursday, June 18 | 3 p.m. ET | Inglewood, Ca. | TV: Fox
Odds: Switzerland (-190), Bosnia-Herzegovina (+500), Tie (+310)
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It’s separation Thursday in Group B. The group is the only one level with all four teams on one point after Switzerland tied Qatar and Bosnia-Herzegovina got a late tie against Canada.
A tie would probably favor Bosnia-Herzegovina more than Switzerland in this matchup. The Swiss were dominant against Qatar but also extremely wasteful in the second half. That cost them mightily as Qatar scored in added time to steal a point.
Breaking down Bosnia-Herzegovina is going to be an even tougher ask. The Bosnians are used to playing without the ball as Canada had 61% possession. However, that possession turned into just four shots on goal.
Canada vs. Qatar
Thursday, June 18 | 6 p.m. ET | Vancouver | TV: FS1
Odds: Canada (-350), Qatar (+900), Tie (+450)
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Canada absolutely needs a win against Qatar to feel good about its chances of getting to the Round of 32. It can’t go into the last game of the group stage needing a win against Switzerland to advance.
Both teams are looking to get out of the group stage at the World Cup for the first time and Qatar will be buoyed by how well it held up defensively against Switzerland. Canada will likely again be without star Alphonso Davies as he’s still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered while with Bayern Munich. The Canadians would be even bigger favorites with Davies on the field. But there’s little excuse for Canada not to get all three points from this one.
Mexico vs. South Korea
Thursday, June 18 | 9 p.m. ET | Guadalajara | TV: Fox
Odds: Mexico (+100), South Korea (+290), Tie (+220)
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A draw likely puts both teams in a great position to advance to the Round of 32 while a win sets the winner up extremely well for the chance to win the group.
Mexico’s fans got frustrated at times during the opener as Julián Quiñones’ ninth-minute goal was the only one Mexico could muster before Raúl Jiménez scored the first World Cup goal of his career in the 67th minute to give Mexico a two-goal lead.
This game also comes amid some off-field issues for South Korea. A drone was taken down by the Mexican military on Tuesday after it flew over a closed South Korean training session in Guadalajara. South Korea team members are also staging a media blackout after a video was leaked of media members making mocking comments about Son Heung-min and his military exemption.
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