The biggest tournament of the summer has surpassed all expectations through the first seven days.
Over the past 48 hours, soccer’s biggest superstars have met the moment with the type of epic performances that we will never forget.
After Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi combined for seven goals on Tuesday, the stage was set for Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane to arrive.
Unfortunately for Portugal fans, Ronaldo failed to register a single shot on goal in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start in the tournament at 41 years and 123 days,
The tough reality for Portugal is that it might have cost them their best chance at a victory on Wednesday.
Next up, it was Kane’s turn in the tournament spotlight.
England’s star striker delivered with two goals in a 4-2 win over Croatia, tying Gary Lineker’s record for the most tournament goals by an Englishman with 10.
He joined David Beckham as the second player to score for England in three different editions of the tournament.
Kane to score the first goal was +370 at FanDuel.
Kane to score two or more goals was +600.
Next up, Caleb Yirenkyi was the hero for Ghana with the latest regulation goal in the country’s tournament history to secure a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto.
Then it was Luis Diaz’s turn to shine with a goal and an assist in Colombia’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
While the late goal by Ghana cost me a best bet on Panama to win or draw, Kane and Diaz both scored at plus-money to secure the narrowest of profits for anybody who tailed my plays in Wednesday’s column.
Turning the page this morning, the focus now shifts to the single-most important match of the tournament so far for Canadians.
Canada will host Qatar in Vancouver with a chance to secure its first-ever tournament win on home soil.
The stage is set for a potentially historic moment.
Who will meet the moment and be the hero for Canada?
Let’s review FanDuel’s latest odds and lock in a best bet in this Morning Coffee for Thursday June 18th, 2026.
Canada Remains Heavy Favourite Versus Qatar At FanDuel
This could be the moment that Canadian soccer fans have been dreaming about for decades.
Canada will host Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver.
At -370 to win the match, FanDuel gives Canada a 78.7 per cent chance to secure its first-ever tournament win on home soil tonight.
If they win convincingly enough, it could put them in pole position for first place in Group B.
With all four teams sitting on a single point, Switzerland remains the favourite to win Group B at +105.
Canada is the second choice to win Group B at +160.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a long shot at +460 as the third choice, followed by Qatar at +2700.
While Switzerland remains the slight favourite to win Group B, it’s Canada that is considered the most likely team to qualify for the knockout stage at FanDuel.
After securing a point versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, a win as a heavy favourite versus Qatar should be enough for Canada to qualify for the Round of 32.
At -900 to qualify from Group B, FanDuel gives Canada a 90 per cent implied probability to move on.
Switzerland is -820 to qualify – an 89.1 per cent chance.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is -275 – a 73.3 per cent chance.
Qatar is +275 to advance – a 26.7 per cent chance.
After failing to secure three points versus Qatar in their opener, Switzerland is -185 to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first Group B match of the day.
That match to end in a draw is +300, with an upset win by Bosnia and Herzegovina priced at +500 at FanDuel.
If that match ends in a draw, and Canada beats Qatar, then Canada will lead Group B with four points entering their final group stage match versus Switzerland.
More importantly, a win over Qatar would mark a historic moment for Canada soccer.
The momentum behind the national soccer teams has been building for years, and the payoff is in sight with a golden chance for the men’s team to secure its first-ever tournament win on home soil.
A win over Qatar would be the kind of “where were you when” moment that gets replayed for years whenever people talk about the rise of Canada soccer.
If they can win convincingly, it may provide the spark this team needs to give them the confidence to make a deep tournament run.
After watching stars like Mbappe, Haaland, Messi, and Kane lead their countries to victory, who steps up as the hero for Canada versus Qatar?
Jonathan David is considered the most likely goal scorer for Canada at +110 and he is +390 to score the first goal.
Cyle Larin, who scored his 31st international goal for Canada in the draw versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, is +120 to score again today and +400 to net the first goal.
Alphonso Davies is potentially set to make his tournament debut after head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed his availability and is +195 to score a goal and +650 to score the first goal.
Tajon Buchanan, Ali Ahmed, and Ismael Kone are all +1300 or shorter to score the first goal for Canada.
I’ll lock in David to score the first goal at +390.
I’ll also play Larin to score or assist at -145.
With a chance to secure the country’s first-ever tournament win on home soil, Canadians from coast-to-coast will be watching.
Hopefully, Canada’s stars can meet the moment.
No pressure.
Have a great day, everyone!
