2026 FIFA World Cup: Thursday's Picks

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues on Thursday with four more matches, starting with the Czech Republic taking on South Africa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both teams are looking to bounce back after opening-match defeats—the Czechs suffered a 2-1 comeback loss to South Korea, while South Africa fell 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico. With both sides sitting on zero points, a second consecutive defeat will likely mean an early elimination. 

CZECH REPUBLIC VS SOUTH AFRICA ODDS, GAME TIME

• Game Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
• Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Favorite: Czech Republic (-120)
• Underdog: South Africa (+380)
• Over/Under: 2.5

HOW TO WATCH CZECH REPUBLIC VS SOUTH AFRICA

• TV Channel: FOX
• Streaming: FOX One

DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR CZECH REPUBLIC VS SOUTH AFRICA

Dunkel Ratings: Czech Republic 6.534; South Africa 6.513
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Czech Republic (-120); 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Draw (+260); Over

Below are all of Dunkel's Picks for Thursday's World Cup schedule:

DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR SWITZERLAND VS BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Switzerland 7.490; Bosnia-Herzegovina 6.546
Dunkel Line & Total: Switzerland by 1; 1
Vegas Line & Total: Switzerland (-180); 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Switzerland (-180); Under

DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR CANADA VS QATAR

Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Canada 7.353; Qatar 6.435
Dunkel Line & Total: Canada by 1; 1
Vegas Line & Total: Canada (-350); 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Canada (-350); Under

DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR MEXICO VS SOUTH KOREA

Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Mexico 7.707; South Korea 8.168
Dunkel Line & Total: South Korea by 1/2; 3
Vegas Line & Total: Mexico (+105); 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Korea (+295); Over