2026 FIFA World Cup Best Bets (June 18): Canada vs. Qatar, Mexico vs. Korea Odds & Predictions

What's up with Group B? We may find out today. Last week in opening matches of group stage play of the FIFA World Cup, we got two surprising draws from this group.

All four teams in Group B are playing on Thursday. That includes Canada (0-0-1) vs. Qatar (0-0-1) in a match where the Canadians desperately need more than the one point a draw can bring. Switzerland (0-0-1) is also on slippery ground as it faces Bosnia and Herzegovina (0-0-1).

(Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The Canada match in Group B, and a match from Group A involving Mexico are the subject of my best bets for the World Cup for Thursday.

• My World Cup betting record is 2-4. I'm 2-2 in my last four picks.

FIFA World Cup Schedule for Thursday, June 18

Four matches are slated for today, with Group A and Group B becoming the first groups to play a second match in this FIFA World Cup tournament. Two of the games on Thursday will be held in the United States, with one each in its neighbors to the south and north.

• Czechia vs. South Africa, 12 p.m. ET in Atlanta
• Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3 p.m. ET in Los Angeles
• Canada vs. Qatar, 6 p.m. ET in Vancouver
• Mexico vs. Korean Republic (South Korea), 9 p.m. ET in Guadalajara

Soccer fans in America can find the Best Sports Betting Offers from the top sports betting sites in their states.

FIFA World Cup Odds for June 17 (FanDuel)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel

FIFA World Cup Best Bets: Canada vs. Qatar

We all know Canada can play ice hockey. But "America's Hat" is still seeking its first win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It should happen Thursday on its own soil, thanks to the sloppiness of its opponent.

In its first match, Qatar's passing completion was only 60%, the second-lowest figure in first matches. The team only had eight crosses, which doesn't bode well for Qatar's scoring chances. Thankfully, Canada was not very sharp in its draw last week against Bosnia, recording a a 73% pass completion.

But, Canada has the most dynamic scorers and the best chances to get the ball into the net. Cyle Larin, who came off the bench to score Canada's only goal in the first match, will start against Qatar. Look for Ali Ahmed of EFL's Norwich City to get the start at wing, which would fit well in Canada's traditional 4-3-3 configuration.

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Qatar is on a seven-game winless streak

That's right: the Qatar team has not been on the winning side of a match since last October, including friendlies. In Thursday's match it will need to find a way to put more pressure on the opposing goaltender. But it's difficult to see where it can find such a threat.

In its opening draw against Switzerland, Yusuf Abdurisag was at the striker position, but he was pulled 60 minutes in after failing to get even one shot on goal and looking overwhelmed against the competition. Qatar may choose to replace him with Almoez Ali, who has fewer high-level international games to his credit, but has as many goals in that competition (one) as Abdurisag.

The Qatar offense is anemic, and Canada will pass the ball better in this match. Buoyed by a raucous Canadian crowd, I look for the Canucks to celebrate their first ever World Cup win on Thursday, and grab three points.

• Canada To Win AND Total Goals Under 2.5 (+230, FanDuel)

FIFA World Cup Best Bets: Mexico vs. South Korea

There was good news/bad news from Mexico's brilliant win last week in its first match, by the score of 2-0 over South Africa. The good was the three points and two goals by Mexico (1-0-0) to secure a sturdy spot in Group A. The bad was the red card earned by César Montes, who will miss Thursday's match against South Korea (1-0-0).

Mexico is expected to have Julián Quiñones back in its starting lineup today following an injury that forced him from the first match. The winger scored a goal against South Africa. Quiñones now has a goal in the World Cup and Gold Cup, and is proving to be a big-stage player.

South Korea grabbed a 2-1 win in its opening match against Czechia, scoring the final two goals. That shows its resilience and may indicate that this team is ready to prove that Asian nations can go deep in the tournament. Both scores involved emerging star Hwang In-Beom, who had a goal and an assist in the second half. For Mexico, its first priority is making Hwang uncomfortable.

Hometown goaltender will star in match for El Tricolor

Goaltender Raúl Rangel is playing in his hometown. He's making his second start for the Mexican national team in the World Cup, having supplanted legendary netminder Guillermo Ochoa, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in March. Rangel is more athletic than Ochoa and he shut out the opponent in a fantastic performance in the first match.

I will bet $160 for a chance to win $100. Mexico shut out its opponent in Match No. 1, and has allowed just two goals in its last six international matches. El Tri is a suffocating defensive unit, led by Johan Vásquez and Israel Reyes.

• Mexico vs. South Korea Under 2.5 Goals (-160, FanDuel)