2026 World Cup picks, odds, predictions: Best bets for Mexico vs. South Korea, Qatar vs. Mexico on Thursday
Every team in the 2026 World Cup field has now played one game, giving each squad a clearer sense of the results they may need in their second and third contests to advance from the group stage. Eight teams take the pitch on Thursday for their second contests, including Mexico and Canada as two of the host nations. Today features Czechia vs. South Africa at noon ET, followed by Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (3 p.m. ET), Canada vs. Qatar (6 p.m. ET) and Mexico vs. South Korea (9 p.m. ET), providing plenty of 2026 World Cup betting options. Mexico are +105 favorites (risk $100 to win $105), according to the latest 2026 World Cup odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. South Korea are +300, with a draw priced at +220 odds. The over/under for Mexico vs. South Korea is 2.5 goals, with the under listed at -154. SportsLine soccer expert Jon Eimer is backing South Korea in a Double Result bet to either win or tie at -130 odds. "I rate this team very highly, and I expect them frankly to get the best out of Mexico when that final whistle blows," Eimer said.
For Canada vs. Qatar, SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green is parlaying Canada to win and Under 3.5 total goals for a -113 payout. Qatar are the significant longshots to win Group B despite drawing Switzerland, the favorites, in their opener. Qatar is ranked 49th in the world, while Canada is 32nd and has home-field advantage. Eimer has also locked in a pick on Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina. Before locking in your 2026 World Cup picks and other World Cup bets on betting sites like FanDuel, be sure to check out top picks from the team of experts at SportsLine.
Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, he has covered the English Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, the FA Cup, and much more. He's been red-hot on his soccer betting picks in 2026, posting a 31-13-2 record and returning over $1,200 of profit on his Champions League picks. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.
Top World Cup picks for Thursday
- Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Both teams to score (+100)
- Canada to win and Under 3.5 total goals (-112)
- Double Chance: South Korea to win or draw against Mexico (-135)
Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Both teams to score (+100)
"We saw Bosnia get a point off of Canada without utilizing their best goal scorer Edin Dzeko, who was apparently experiencing discomfort and was unable to play," SportsLine soccer expert Jon Eimer said. "He is expected to be back for the match against Switzerland, and this is a team that you can't count out because, my word, they play with passion out there. Switzerland are the better team and will be desperate to bounce back, but they'll have their hands full. I'm expecting a tight-fought goal heavy match."
Canada to win and Under 3.5 total goals (-112)
"The Canadians like to sit back, soak up pressure, and spring rapid counterattacks, but that may not be an option on Thursday," SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green said. "They're the favorites to win this game, and they'll be roared on by passionate home fans in Vancouver, so it will be up to the Canada men's national team to take the initiative. It could be another tight game, as Qatar's defenders have shown that they can resist wave after wave of attack, but the quality of Larin and David should ultimately earn Canada a precious victory."
Double Chance: South Korea to win or draw against Mexico (-135)
"This team showed resilience and some scary levels of fight and determination against Czechia," Eimer said. "They fought back after going down with Hwan In-beom equalizing, and Oh Hyeon-gyu giving them the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute. The thing that makes this team so scary, besides the obvious, is their accuracy. This team put up unreal numbers of successful long passes, duels won and aerials. This is a team that, frankly, outworked Czechia from start to finish. I rate this team very highly, and I expect them frankly, to get the best out of Mexico when that final whistle blows."
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
