Who: South Korea vs Czech Republic
Content: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A matches
Location: Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Date and time: Thursday, 8pm local time (Friday 02:00 GMT)
How to follow: Get all the latest updates on Al Jazeera Sports
South Korea, Asia’s most successful team at the World Cup, will start the 2026 season with a match against the Czech Republic, who are returning to the tournament for the first time in 20 years.
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Former semi-finalists and world No. 25 South Korea, who have a talented squad including Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae, are favorites to win Group A and will be aiming for an early victory in a tough group that also includes co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
However, the Czech Republic, ranked 40th, is by no means defeated. With players like Adam Frozek, Patrik Schick and Pavel Suluk, they are more than capable of pulling off an upset.
Son leads South Korean charge
As always, all eyes will be on South Korean superstar Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min is currently playing club soccer for Los Angeles FC.
The 33-year-old former Tottenham winger, who will be playing in his fourth final, could play in his final tournament, although this is not confirmed.
Fans will be hoping to see their captain on the scoresheet after scoring twice in recent friendlies.
The Korean team advanced to the last 16 in 2022, with Hwang Hee-chan scoring the winning goal in stoppage time against Portugal, advancing the team to the final tournament. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward is now keen to repeat himself at the next tournament.
Hwang, who will be participating in his third World Cup, said, “It would be great for me and the team if I could play like that again.” “I’m working hard for moments like that.
“Every game is important, but the first game is especially important.”
Czech Republic: 2nd place
As Czechoslovakia, the Czech team finished runner-up in 1934 and 1962. However, their results have been poor since then, making only four appearances, including once reaching the group stage (in the quarter-finals in 1990).
The Czech Republic returned to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years with a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the UEFA qualifying round, advancing to the final.
The arrival of coach Miroslav Koubek in December 2025 saw their fortunes turn around, going from a crisis-ridden season to a successful finish.
The Czechs have returned to football’s highest stage after 20 years and are hoping to reach the knockout stages.
With 2m (6ft 7in) Slavia Prague striker Tomas Choly at their disposal, Koubek’s team will look to impose their physicality on the South Korean.
They are blessed with more attacking firepower in Schick, Bayer Leverkusen striker and co-top scorer at Euro 2020, while Hoffenheim striker Hrozek provides another experienced option up front.
Koubek will also rely on West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and 35-year-old Vladimir Dalida to provide experience and stability.
How will the World Cup group stage be played?
Group A included South Korea, Czech Republic, Mexico, and South Africa.
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups and the top eight teams in third place advance to the next stage, the Round of 32, which was first introduced at the World Cup.
Match results are all square
South Korea and the Czech Republic have played against each other three times, each winning one game and the other ending in a draw.
The last time the two sides met was exactly 10 years ago in June 2016, when South Korea won 2-1 in a friendly in Prague.
Form guide:
(Last 5 games, newest first)
Korea: WLLW
Czech Republic: WWWWW
The Czech Republic will enter the opening match in good form after defeating Kosovo and Guatemala in friendlies before the World Cup. Before that, they defeated Denmark and Ireland on penalties in the UEFA qualifying play-offs, and also won against Gibraltar.
South Korea, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. In pre-World Cup friendlies, they defeated El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago, but lost to Austria and Ivory Coast.
Where can I watch Korea vs Czech Republic?
Korean fans will be able to watch the match on the Chzzk and JTBC platforms, with kickoff scheduled for Friday at 11am local time.
In the Czech Republic, CT Sport Plus, CT Sport and Nova Action will broadcast the match, which is scheduled to start at 4 a.m. local time on Friday.
UK viewers can watch on ITV, while US viewers can tune in to Fox.
Korea and Czech team news
Coach Kobeck is worried about the selection process.
Hrozek has recently recovered from injury, and with Sulz and Lukas Provod also in the squad, Koubek will have to make a difficult decision on whether the two attackers will support Schick.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s coach Hong Myung-bo has to contend with some concerns.
Winger Bae Joon-ho, one of the youngest players on the team, is doubtful to play due to an ankle injury, while left-back Lee Tae-seok has returned to team practice due to a calf strain.
Korea’s expected starting lineup
Kim Seung-gyu (goalkeeper) Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, Lee Ki-hyuk. Seol Young-woo, Lee Tae-seok, Hwang In-beom, Baek Seung-ho. Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung. son heung min
Possible starting lineup for the Czech national team
Matej Kovar (goalkeeper); Vladimir Coufal, David Dudela, Thomas Halls, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny. Tomas Soucek, Michal Sadilek. Adam Frozek, Pavel Suluk, Patrik Schick
Al Jazeera’s dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 page keeps you up to date with all the latest news, match developments and live text commentary, as well as group standings, real-time results and schedules.
