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It’s time for Day 8 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We’ve got four games on tap for Thursday, June 18th. Czechia faces South Africa at 12 p.m. ET, followed by Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, Canada vs. Qatar at 6 p.m. ET, and Mexico vs. South Korea at 9 p.m. ET.
We’re going to dive into each matchup and then provide my favorite buys for the day.
With that in mind, let’s dive into our top prediction market trades for Thursday, June 18. Make sure to check out our World Cup match trends page for daily odds, insights and betting data for each game.
Top Prediction Market Trades: Best World Cup Trades for Thursday, June 18
Czechia to Win vs. South Africa (0.55¢ at Kalshi)
Czechia is coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss in their opener against South Korea. After taking the lead in the 59th minute, the Czechs conceded two goals in the next 20 minutes.
On the other side, South Africa was extremely unimpressive against Mexico in their first game, losing 2-0. Not only did they generate only 0.1 expected goals, but they also had two red cards: Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane.
With both teams needing a win here, I expect a more wide-open game script. Give me the Czechs because they’re the better team. Feels like a 2-0 or 2-1 win.
Switzerland to Win vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (0.63¢ at Kalshi)
Switzerland dominated Qatar, outscoring them 3.2 to 0.6 in expected goals in the first game. But the Swiss couldn’t convert on enough of their chances. They took their foot off the gas, and Qatar scored a late equalizer to secure the 1-1 draw.
Bosnia-Herzegovina gave up a 1-0 lead to Canada, finishing with a 1-1 draw against one of the co-hosts. It was a positive result for Bosnia, given the circumstances.
However, I don’t expect the Swiss to make the same mistake again. They’ve likely learned from their errors in the draw vs. Qatar. Expect them to go all-out for three points here. That’s why I prefer to lay the juice on Switzerland to win rather than take Under 2.5.
Canada/Qatar Over 2.5 Goals: No (0.45¢ at Kalshi)
Canada is in a must-win spot after drawing their opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina. As one of the co-hosts, they need to advance out of Group B. That means that they’ll need three points vs. Qatar, since it’s going to be tough to do so against Switzerland.
While I expect Canada to get it done in this game, as they’re the better team and have home-field advantage, I just don’t trust them to finish. We saw them miss several chances vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, including Jonathan David in the box.
That’s why I’d rather take Under 2.5 goals instead of going with Canada to win, which is too expensive right now.
Mexico/South Korea Over 2.5 Goals: No (0.61¢ at Kalshi)
Both of these teams took care of business in their first game, securing three points. Mexico looked like a brick wall defensively, allowing 0.1 expected goals vs. South Africa. Meanwhile, South Korea looked positive vs. Czechia, putting up 2.3 expected goals.
With that said, Mexico has home-field advantage here, and they’ve been quite tough to break down. Given that they’re +2 in goal differential with three points, while South Korea is +1, El Tri would be content with a draw here.
There’s no need for Mexico to take an unnecessary risks in this match, which is why Under 2.5 looks like a strong play.
Not in a Legal Sports Betting State? Consider Prediction Markets
If online sportsbooks aren’t permitted in your state, prediction markets can provide an alternative way to engage with sports outcomes. Rather than placing standard wagers, these platforms let users trade event-based contracts tied to real-world results, with contract prices shifting according to public demand and market expectations. Many markets also give participants the flexibility to close positions before the final outcome, which can allow them to lock in gains or limit risk ahead of settlement.
In the past few years, platforms such as Kalshi, Polymarket, and Fanatics have expanded their markets. Depending on the platform, users may be able to trade contracts involving championship outcomes, player awards, election props, and more.
These markets are different from conventional sportsbooks, where access varies by platform and jurisdiction. Before creating an account, review the platform’s eligibility guidelines and terms carefully to make sure participation is allowed in your area.
Photo Credit: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough
