There is another bumper five-game fixture slate from the FIFA World Cup 2026 to enjoy on Thursday, 18 June, as the group stage moves on to its first set of matchday two contests.
First up, Ghana and Panama collide in Toronto in Group L (00:00), before World Cup debutants Uzbekistan finally make their tournament bow against Colombia in a Group K clash in Mexico City (03:00).
After that, the Czech Republic and South Africa take centre stage in Atlanta in Group A (17:00), with Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (20:00) and Canada vs Qatar (23:00) to follow in back-to-back games from Group B.
Below, you’ll find bet builder tips today for all five fixtures, which we’ve combined into a single 10/1 docket using LiveScoreBet’s latest odds. For more of the best World Cup 2026 predictions and betting tips, we recommend visiting our dedicated hub.
World Cup Bet Builder Bets – Thursday, 18 June
Ghana vs Panama
Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panama) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Uzbekistan vs Colombia
James Rodriguez (Colombia) to have over 0.5 shots on target
Czech Republic vs South Africa
Dan Ndoye (Switzerland) to have over 0.5 shots on target
Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
Jude Bellingham (England) to have 0.5 shots on target
Canada vs Qatar
Canada to win over 5.5 corners
Bet Builder odds are 10/1 with LiveScoreBet – Potential winnings: £10 stake returns £110
Ghana vs Panama
Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panama) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Our football bet builder begins with a selection from Ghana’s Group L tussle with Panama at BMO Field in Toronto. The Ghanaians’ frontline is laced with explosive running power and Panama might have to lean on the dark arts to curtail the Black Stars’ forward surges.
Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, in particular, has the attributes to knock Ghana out of their rhythm. The 28-year-old rarely shirks a challenge and across his last club campaign with Mexican outfit UNAM, Carrasquilla committed 1.75 fouls per 90 minutes.
In fact, across his last six club campaigns combined, the anchorman has fouled at a rate of 1.77 times p/90, a set of player stats that marks him out as a consistent fouler and a candidate with real promise on Thursday from a punting perspective. Look for the combative Carrasquilla to be collared for at least two fouls in Toronto.
Recommended bet: Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panama) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Uzbekistan vs Colombia
James Rodriguez (Colombia) to have over 0.5 shots on target
The temptation here is to look towards Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz in the shot markets for Colombia’s encounter with Uzbekistan, however, creative midfielder and World Cup veteran, James Rodriguez, is the value pick from the available bet builder odds.
Rodriguez will turn 35 in July, but will still be handed a starting remit at the World Cup, and the schemer has more than enough quality to make an impact.
The Minnesota United star averaged 2.25 shots and 1.02 shots on target per 90 minutes during Los Cafeteros’s qualification campaign, while he also averaged 4.13 attempts and1.38 attempts on target p/90 in the MLS this term before linking up with his national teammates.
Rodriguez is also likely to be on free kick duty if and when dangerous opportunities arise around the edge of the Uzbekistani box, further heightening his chances of getting this selection over the line.
Recommended bet: James Rodriguez (Colombia) to have over 0.5 shots on target
Czech Republic vs South Africa
Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) to concede over 1.5 fouls
South African fullback Khuliso Mudau committed two fouls on matchday one against Mexico, and the 31-year-old is likely to be just as heavily involved against Czechia on Thursday.
The Bafana Bafana tackled with ferocity on matchday one and subsequently had two men sent off in their loss to Mexico, and with ground to make up in the World Cup 2026 standings, they are unlikely to dial back their intensity against the Czech Republic.
No South African player attempted more tackles (four) or contested more ground duels (ten) against Mexico than Mudau, and his aggressive approach to defending could put him on the referee’s radar again this week. Look for the Mamelodi Sundowns right back to give 2+ free kicks away for the second game running.
Recommended bet: Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dan Ndoye (Switzerland) to have over 0.5 shots on target
We picked out Dan Ndoye in the same market in our bet builder feature for Switzerland’s first World Cup fixture against Qatar and the winger delivered the goods with comfort, so we’re sticking with the 25-year-old, who offers just as much value here as he did the first time around.
The Swiss couldn’t beat Qatar, though they did pepper their opponent’s goal. Ndoye played his part there, finishing the 1-1 draw with a game-high six shots, two of which were on target.
The Nottingham Forest flanksman has now registered at least one shot on target in eight of his last ten appearances for Switzerland and he seems to have picked up the mantle as one of their chief dangermen in the final third. We’re backing Ndoye to threaten the Bosnian goal at least once in Inglewood.
Recommended bet: Dan Ndoye (Switzerland) to have over 0.5 shots on target
Canada vs Qatar
Canada to win over 5.5 corners
Qatar rescued a point in hugely dramatic fashion against Switzerland on matchday one, forcing an own goal in the 94th minute to earn parity in their opening Group B fixture, however, they were fortunate in the extreme to claim a share of the spoils.
The Qataris saw just 32% of the ball, conceded 26 shots, an xG of 3.20 a mammoth six big chances and most pertinently here, a whopping ten corners against a Swiss side that ultimately failed to capitalise on their statistical dominance.
Canada, who won nine corners in their opener against Bosnia & Herzegovina, will be eager to put the squeeze on Qatar in similar fashion when the teams meet in Vancouver, and a target of over 5.5 corners feels like a modest one for the hosts to beat in the circumstances.
