World Cup 2026 Day 8: Mexico vs South Korea, Canada vs Qatar preview and other stories
Theo Elizabeth Melimopoulos
Day 8 of the 2026 World Cup features four group-stage matches, headlined by Mexico taking on South Korea after both won their openers. Meanwhile, the Golden Boot race heats up, Cape Verde and DR Congo celebrate historic results, and debates over drinking breaks, diversity in football, and Africa's rise continue to fuel conversation.
World Cup 2026 on Thursday (18 June) will feature four group-stage matches, including a clash between Mexico and South Korea after both teams won their opening matches of the tournament.
The Golden Boot race is already heating up, Cape Verde and DR Congo are celebrating historic results, while debates over drinking breaks, diversity in football and Africa's growing presence at the tournament continue to spark lively discussions.
Thursday's full schedule
- Czech Republic vs South Africa – Atlanta Stadium, Georgia (USA), 12:00 local (16:00 GMT)
- Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Los Angeles Stadium, California (USA), 12:00 local (19:00 GMT)
- Canada vs Qatar – Vancouver Stadium, British Columbia (Canada), 15:00 local (22:00 GMT)
- Mexico vs South Korea – Guadalajara Stadium, Jalisco (Mexico), 19:00 local (01:00 GMT Friday)
Mexico vs South Korea prediction
Mexico have a strong head-to-head record against South Korea, winning all three previous World Cup meetings, including a 2-1 victory in Russia in 2018.
While both teams started with wins, Opta's supercomputer favours Mexico in this Group A clash. In 25,000 simulations, El Tri won 49.1% of the time, compared to South Korea's 24.3%, with 26.6% ending in a draw.
Czech Republic vs South Africa prediction
The Czech Republic and South Africa have only met once before. South Africa have a solid record against European sides in World Cups, including a famous 2-1 win over France in 2010, and have lost only one of their last four such matches.
The Czech Republic, meanwhile, lost 2-0 to Ghana in the only previous World Cup match they played against an African opponent. Opta's supercomputer rates the Czech Republic as favourites, with a 54.9% chance of winning, compared to South Africa's 21.8%.
Switzerland vs Bosnia prediction
This will be the first meeting between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at a World Cup. The only previous encounter was a friendly in Zurich in 2016, which Bosnia won 2-0 thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic.
Despite that result, Switzerland come into this match as clear favourites. According to Opta's supercomputer, the Swiss win 61.6% of 25,000 simulations, compared to Bosnia's 17%. The draw probability stands at 21.4%.
Canada vs Qatar prediction
History favours the home side in this tie. In the three previous instances of a World Cup host facing a team from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the host has always won: Mexico beat Iraq in 1986, France beat Saudi Arabia in 1998, and Russia beat Saudi Arabia in 2018.
Opta's supercomputer predicts this trend will continue. Canada win in 72.9% of 25,000 simulations, while the draw percentage is 16.5%. Qatar have only a 10.6% chance of springing a surprise.
Other notable stories
Golden Boot race heats up
Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race with three goals after his hat-trick in Argentina's opening win over Algeria. Seven players are one goal behind: Kylian Mbappe (France), Erling Haaland (Norway), Folarin Balogun (USA), Kai Havertz (Germany), Yasin Ayari (Sweden), Elijah Just (New Zealand) and Harry Kane (England).
History for DR Congo
Yoane Wissa scored DR Congo's first ever World Cup goal in a surprising 1-1 draw with Portugal, the world's fifth-ranked team. The Newcastle United striker headed home just after half-time in Houston, Texas, cancelling out Joao Neves' early opener, earning a historic point for the Leopards in their first World Cup appearance in 52 years.
Colombia off to a flyer
Colombia started smoothly, beating debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 at Mexico City Stadium. Luis Diaz was the standout, assisting Daniel Munoz for the opener before scoring himself. Abbosbek Fayzullaev pulled one back for Uzbekistan, but Colombia quickly regained control to seal the win.
Biggest upset of the first round?
Cape Verde's 0-0 draw with Spain is widely seen as the biggest shock. The World Cup debutants held one of the tournament favourites, earning a historic point in their very first match. DR Congo's 1-1 draw with Portugal also ranks among the big surprises, alongside Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Diversity in team squads
Many World Cup squads feature players from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, reflecting the nations they represent. England, France, Spain and Sweden have both Christian and Muslim players. Lamine Yamal (Spain) and Yasin Ayari (Sweden) are among a growing number of Muslim players performing on the biggest football stage.
Ronaldo's sixth record ends in disappointment
Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, became one of only two players (alongside Lionel Messi) to play in six World Cups, but failed to score in Portugal's group K opener. Portugal dropped points in their opening match, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates needing to find form in subsequent games.
Controversy over drinking breaks
FIFA's new drinking breaks, introduced to help players cope with the summer heat in the USA, Canada and Mexico, are facing criticism from pundits and fans. Critics argue they disrupt the flow of play and could change the momentum of matches. FIFA says the breaks are designed to protect player health, but critics claim they also offer opportunities for tactical adjustments and additional advertising.
Beyond football: Opportunity for Africa
A record six sub-Saharan African nations are participating in the 2026 World Cup, more than ever before. South Africa's Bafana Bafana were the first to take the field, losing 2-0 to Mexico in the opening match. However, several traditional powerhouses from the continent are also back on the big stage. Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Cape Verde are ambitious representatives.
The journey to the tournament has not been without its challenges. Some teams, officials and fans have faced visa and travel issues. Many fans carrying African passports were initially required to place a $15,000 deposit to enter the United States – a policy later scrapped but criticised as too little, too late.
With a diaspora community of over three million people of African origin across the USA and Canada, Africa's six representatives are expected to receive strong support as they look to make their mark on the biggest football stage, carrying the hopes of an entire continent.
