World Cup predictions: Mexico vs South Korea, Canada vs Qatar and more

Published 18 June 2026 · sports

The World Cup on Thursday features four more group-stage matches, including a meeting between Mexico and South Korea after both teams opened the tournament with

The World Cup on Thursday features four more group-stage matches, including a meeting between Mexico and South Korea after both teams opened the tournament with wins. The race for the Golden Boot is already taking shape, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are celebrating historic results, and debates over hydration breaks, diversity in football and Africa’s growing presence at the tournament continue to generate discussion. Here’s what to know What is the schedule for Thursday? Czechia vs South Africa at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States at noon (16:00 GMT) Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, California, at noon (19:00 GMT) Canada vs Qatar at Vancouver Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada at 3pm (22:00 GMT) Mexico vs South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday) What are the predictions for Mexico vs South Korea? Mexico have a strong record against South Korea, winning both of their previous World Cup meetings, including a 2-1 victory in Russia 2018. While both teams boosted their knockout-stage hopes with opening wins, Opta’s supercomputer favours Mexico in this Group A clash. Across 25,000 simulations, El Tri won 49.1 percent of the time, compared with 24.3 percent for South Korea, while 26.6 percent ended in a draw. What are the predictions for Czechia vs South Africa? Czechia and South Africa have met only once before. South Africa have a solid record against European opposition at the World Cup, including a famous 2-1 win over France in 2010, and have lost only one of their last four such matches. The Czechs, meanwhile, lost 2-0 to Ghana in their only previous World Cup match against African opposition. Opta’s supercomputer calculates Czechia as the favourites, giving them a 54.9 percent chance of victory, compared with 21.8 percent for South Africa. What are the predictions for Switzerland vs Bosnia? This will be the first World Cup meeting between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The only previous match between the two nations came in a friendly in Zurich in 2016 when Bosnia claimed a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic. Despite that result, Switzerland enter this match as the clear favourites. According to Opta’s supercomputer, Switzerland won 61.6 percent of 25,000 pre-match simulations while Bosnia came out on top in 17 percent.

A draw was predicted in 21.4 percent of the scenarios. What are the predictions for Canada vs Qatar? History favours the hosts in this matchup. On the three previous occasions a World Cup host nation has faced an Asian federation team, the hosts have won every time: Mexico beat Iraq in 1986, France defeated Saudi Arabia in 1998 and Russia also overcame Saudi Arabia in 2018. Opta’s supercomputer predicts that trend will continue. Canada were victorious in 72.9 percent of 25,000 pre-match simulations while a draw occurred in 16.5 percent. Qatar are given just a 10.6 percent chance of pulling off an upset. What else is shaping the World Cup? The first round of matches has already produced memorable moments, surprise results and stories beyond the scorelines. Here are some of the biggest talking points from around the World Cup Golden Boot race already fierce Lionel Messi leads the race for the World Cup’s Golden Boot with three goals after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening win over Algeria. A group of seven players sits one goal behind France’s Kylian Mbappe Norway’s Erling Haaland USA forward Folarin Balogun Germany’s Kai Havertz Sweden’s Yasin Ayari New Zealand’s Elijah Just England captain Harry Kane DR Congo make World Cup history Yoane Wissa scored the DRC’s first-ever World Cup goal during their unexpected 1-1 draw with the team FIFA ranks fifth in the world – Portugal. The Newcastle United forward headed home shortly after half-time in Houston, Texas, to cancel out an early goal from Portugal’s Joao Neves, earning a historic point for the Leopards in their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. The milestone sparked celebrations among Congolese supporters in the stadium and around the world. Colombia begin with a win Colombia made a successful start to their World Cup campaign by beating tournament debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 at Mexico City Stadium. Luis Diaz was the standout performer, setting up Daniel Munoz for the opening goal before scoring Colombia’s second after the break. Uzbekistan briefly levelled through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, but the South Americans regained control and secured all three points. The victory gives Colombia an early boost in Group K as they look to return to the knockout stages after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Biggest surprises of the first round? Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain is arguably the biggest surprise of the initial group matches.