A significant day ahead as we see the end of the first round of group games and step into the second wave of matches for teams in Groups A and B.
England’s remaining Group L opponents swing into action as Ghana and Panama meet at Toronto Stadium in a midnight kick-off UK time. Ghana have had a turbulent build-up and appointed experienced coach Carlos Querioz just 72 days before the start of this World Cup.
Uzbekistan under Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro feature against Colombia in a 3am kick-off at Mexico City Stadium. That Group K clash brings an end to the first phase of games with every nation now having played their opening match.
Moving into the evening we see Group A swing back into action with a 5pm kick-off between the Czech Republic and South Africa at Atlanta Stadium. Both teams are looking to bounce back from opening round defeats.
Attention turns to Group B for the 8pm kick-off at Los Angeles Stadium. All four teams are tied on one point each so either Switzerland or Bosnia & Herzegovina could claim top spot with a win here.
The lead may not last long though. The second game in Group B follows on at 11pm, with Canada hoping to overcome Qatar at BC Place Vancouver.
Below we look ahead to all five games with some selections from NetBet Sport’s wide range of World Cup odds.
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*All odds are subject to change
Ghana vs Panama: Anytime Goalscorer Triple Chance – Antoine Semenyo or Inaki Williams or Jordan Ayew @ 1.44
Ghana’s form can best be described as erratic. The Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after finishing bottom of their qualifying group. A year later they stormed through World Cup qualifying with eight wins from 10 games, finishing six points clear at the top of the table. Striker Jordan Ayew, 34, has just suffered relegation to League One with Leicester City, but scored seven goals and added seven assists during Ghana’s qualifying campaign. In a 1-1 draw with Wales just ahead of this tournament, he matched brother Andre’s appearance record for Ghana, winning his 120th cap. That game ended a run of six straight defeats, in which Ghana had scored just two goals. The Black Stars will be looking to Manchester City’s £65 million January signing Antoine Semenyo for goals and inspiration. Panama remained unbeaten in their eight qualifying games under coach Thomas Christiansen who has developed a defensively strong outfit. They will set up to hit Ghana on the counter, with left-winger Ismael Diaz a constant threat. He was the 2025 Golden Boot winner at the CONCACAF Gold Cup with six goals. But surely one of Ghana’s talented goalscorers can steady any nerves here.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia: Anytime Goalscorer – Luis Diaz @ 2.05
Uzbekistan have an experienced campaigner leading from the front in captain Eldor Shomurodov, 30. The nation’s all-time top scorer with 44 goals was also prolific in Turkey this season, notching 22 goals in 34 games for Basaksehir, adding five assists. Their young talents include Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, 21, and winger Abbobek Fayzullaev, 22, who scored four goals in qualifying. June’s preparation fell flat, with defeats by co-hosts Canada (2-0) and Netherlands (2-1). By contrast, Colombia enjoyed a winning start to this month, with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica followed by a 2-0 run out against Jordan. Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, 34, is still going strong as an attacking midfielder behind striker Luis Suarez, who rattled in 28 goals in 38 games for Sporting in Portugal this season. Top scorer in qualifying with seven goals was Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz, who also amassed 26 goals and provided 19 assists for the Bundesliga champions. When it comes to goal threat, strong favourites Colombia hold most of the cards.
Czech Republic vs South Africa: Match Result (Early Payout) – Czech Republic @ 1.70
A game that neither side can afford to lose after both suffered defeats in their opening matches. The Czech Republic found South Korea too hot to handle, losing 2-1 after taking a second-half lead through Ladislav Krejci of Wolves. That loss brought an abrupt end to a six-game unbeaten run for Czechia and a win here is essential as their final group game is against Mexico. It was the co-hosts who beat South Africa 2-0, with Bafana Bafana receiving two red cards along the way. That was South Africa’s fifth game in a row without a win. Czechia will surely not blow their chance to earn their first three points at World Cup 2026.
Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: Anytime Goalscorer – Breel Embolo @ 2.25
After two 1-1 draws in the opening round of Group B matches there is nothing meaningful to separate the teams so far. Switzerland paid a heavy price for being wasteful in front of goal against Qatar. Despite creating 26 shots, the Swiss only held a slender 1-0 lead moving into stoppage time, before Miro Muheim headed into his own net. Breel Embolo’s penalty for Switzerland was his third goal in his last four appearances. The Swiss have to take some confidence from being on a run of just one defeat in the last 15 games and can take out their frustration on a European opponent. Bosnia & Herzegovina shocked co-hosts Canada by taking a first-half lead through Jovo Lukic, but could not hold on for the win. It stretched their unbeaten run to nine games but remarkably the last six of those have all been draws. Another draw here wouldn’t be a disaster for them as they face outside bet Qatar in their final group game. The Swiss don’t have that luxury and need to go all out for the win.
Canada vs Qatar: Outcome And Both To Score – Canada And No @ 1.83
Canada also have the look of draw specialists. Their 1-1 result in their opening game extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches, with five of the last six being stalemates. The form of striker Jonathan David has been a worry, with no goals in his last four games for the national team and just eight in 48 for Juventus. This could perhaps be the stage for him to show us why he was courted by some of Europe’s top clubs. Qatar had only scored one goal in five games ahead of the 1-1 draw with Switzerland – and that’s technically now one in six as it was an own goal that secured their draw with the Swiss. Canada to win but it would be too optimistic to hope for a flood of goals.
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