Looking for live World Cup football in Tunbridge Wells today? The Bedford’s Fanzo venue schedule lists three FIFA World Cup 26™ fixtures for Thursday 18th June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Switzerland vs Bosnia and Canada vs Qatar.
📺 Today’s confirmed Fanzo fixtures at The Bedford
- 17:00 — Czech Republic vs South Africa — FIFA World Cup 26™ — BBC One / BBC or ITV TBC — Sound
- 20:00 — Switzerland vs Bosnia — FIFA World Cup 26™ — ITV 1 / UTV / BBC or ITV TBC — Sound
- 23:00 — Canada vs Qatar — FIFA World Cup 26™ — UTV / ITV 1 / BBC or ITV TBC — Sound
This post covers only the fixtures currently shown on The Bedford’s Fanzo venue schedule for Thursday 18th June.
Czech Republic vs South Africa preview — 5pm
Fanzo lists this as Czech Republic vs South Africa, with coverage on BBC One and sound at The Bedford. In tournament terms, this is already a pressure match: both sides are chasing a response after opening defeats in Group A, so the result could shape whether either nation stays firmly in the knockout conversation.
Czech Republic, often styled as Czechia in match previews, should bring their usual set-piece threat and directness. Patrik Schick is the obvious focal point, with Tomáš Souček a major danger from second balls and deliveries into the box. The likely plan is simple but awkward to defend: win territory, make South Africa defend crosses and turn dead-ball situations into chances.
Team news and injuries
Czech Republic: latest previews indicate no fresh injury concerns from their opener, with Miroslav Koubek expected to consider sticking close to the same XI. Matěj Kovář is tipped in goal, with Vladimír Coufal, Ladislav Krejčí, Souček, Lukáš Provod, Pavel Šulc and Schick central to the expected shape.
South Africa: Hugo Broos has forced changes to make. Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane are suspended after red cards in the defeat to Mexico, so Thalente Mbatha could come into midfield and South Africa may move away from the back-five approach. Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng and Lyle Foster are among the attacking options if Bafana Bafana go with more width.
What’s at stake: with both teams starting from zero points, this is the sort of fixture that can rescue a group campaign. Czech Republic will see it as a must-win; South Africa need discipline, a cleaner defensive performance and far more threat in transition than they showed first time out.
Switzerland vs Bosnia preview — 8pm
Switzerland vs Bosnia is the 8pm Fanzo fixture at The Bedford, listed on ITV 1 / UTV / BBC or ITV TBC with sound. It is a fascinating Group B match because both sides took a point from their openers, but in very different moods: Switzerland were frustrated by Qatar, while Bosnia showed real organisation and resilience against co-hosts Canada.
Switzerland still have enough experience to control the game. Granit Xhaka should dictate tempo, Manuel Akanji brings tournament nous at the back, and Breel Embolo gives them a penalty-box target. Bosnia, though, are not here to make up numbers. Sead Kolašinac was influential against Canada, and Sergej Barbarez’s side look comfortable making games awkward.
Team news and injuries
Switzerland: Murat Yakin is expected to persist with a back three. Johan Manzambi is pushing for a start after Michel Aebischer got the nod in the opener, while Noah Okafor is also an option if Switzerland want more sharpness in the front line. Gregor Kobel, Akanji, Xhaka and Embolo are expected to be key starters.
Bosnia: Edin Džeko is the big fitness watch after being named on the bench but not used against Canada. Haris Tabaković has been listed with an ankle issue, while Jovo Lukić’s goal in the opener gives him a strong case to stay involved. Amar Dedić, Benjamin Tahirović, Ermedin Demirović and Kolašinac give Bosnia a strong, experienced spine.
What’s at stake: four points after two games would put either side in a strong position. Switzerland need to turn control into goals; Bosnia will know another disciplined result could put them close to the last 32.
Canada vs Qatar preview — 11pm
The late Fanzo fixture is Canada vs Qatar at 11pm, listed on UTV / ITV 1 / BBC or ITV TBC with sound. It is a proper late-night World Cup watch, especially with Canada playing at BC Place in Vancouver and chasing their first ever World Cup win.
Canada earned a hard-fought point against Bosnia through Cyle Larin, while Qatar stunned Switzerland with a stoppage-time equaliser. That means both teams arrive on one point and both can turn a decent start into a genuinely strong group position with a win tonight.
Team news and injuries
Canada: Alphonso Davies remains the headline fitness question. His hamstring issue appears to be improving, but reports suggest Jesse Marsch may still use him carefully rather than throw him straight back in from the start. Moïse Bombito is also a fitness concern with his left tibia issue, which could mean Luc de Fougerolles continues alongside Derek Cornelius. Larin is pushing to start after scoring off the bench, with Jonathan David expected to lead the attack.
Qatar: Qatar came through the Switzerland match without reported fresh injury or suspension problems. Julen Lopetegui may keep the structure that earned a point, but record scorer Almoez Ali is pushing to return to the XI after starting the opener on the bench. Akram Afif remains the main creative threat, with Mahmud Abunada’s goalkeeping performance against Switzerland giving Qatar real confidence.
What’s at stake: Canada can all but transform their group-stage outlook with a home-soil win. Qatar, already buoyed by their first point, will believe another compact, disciplined performance can frustrate a Canada side still searching for fluency in the final third.
Watch World Cup football at The Bedford
If you are searching for a sports pub in Tunbridge Wells showing World Cup football today, The Bedford is showing the Fanzo-confirmed schedule from 5pm through to the late Canada vs Qatar kick-off.
All three fixtures are marked with Sound on Fanzo. Come in for the early kick-off, settle in for Switzerland vs Bosnia at 8pm, or stay late for Canada vs Qatar at 11pm.
Join us for World Cup football today
Czech Republic vs South Africa kicks off at 5pm, Switzerland vs Bosnia at 8pm, and Canada vs Qatar at 11pm. Arrive early for the best spot.
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