If Group A is being pitched as one of the most unpredictable at World Cup 2026, then winning the opener is crucial for both the South Korea and Czechia.
It’s safe to assume that Mexico will make light work of South Africa at altitude, so this is an early opportunity to take control of qualification.
Korea Republic should bring the higher attacking ceiling to Guadalajara. Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan give them enough quality to hurt most teams in this group.
But Czechia are always awkward opposition. They will defend compactly, compete physically and lean into set-pieces, where Patrik Schick, Tomas Soucek and Ladislav Krejci should prove to be a handful.
That makes this a difficult opener to call. That said, we did back the Republic of Korea to spring a surprise in Group A. It’s also fair to say they have more variety in attack, but Czechia’s structure and dead-ball threat should keep this tight for long periods.
How to watch South Korea v Czechia
South Korea v Czechia kicks off at 03:00 BST on Friday, June 12 at Guadalajara Stadium.
The match will be shown live in the UK on ITV1 and STV, with streaming available via ITVX and STV Player.
In the United States, the game will be shown on FOX or FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo or Universo and streaming via Peacock.
In Canada, World Cup coverage is available on TSN and RDS, with selected games also on CTV and streaming available through TSN, RDS and Crave.
South Korea team news
Korea Republic are expected to build around Son, Lee and Hwang in attack, with Kim Min-jae anchoring the defence.
Son remains their obvious reference point, while Lee gives them creativity between the lines and Hwang offers direct running in the final third.
The concern comes without the ball. Korea Republic have carried defensive questions into the tournament, especially when opponents attack space around their wing-backs.
South Korea expected XI:
(3-4-2-1) Jo Hyeon-woo; Cho Yu-min, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon; Seol Young-woo, Hwang In-beom, Lee Jae-sung, Kim Jin-su; Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min; Hwang Hee-chan
Czechia team news
Czechia should lean heavily on their established spine, with Schick leading the attack and Soucek giving them presence in midfield.
Krejci adds another set-piece threat, while Czechia’s route through the game is likely to be built on compact defending, physical duels and pressure from dead balls.
They may not dominate possession, but they have enough experience and aerial threat to make Korea Republic uncomfortable.
Czechia expected XI:
(3-4-2-1) Kovar; Holes, Krejci, Zima; Coufal, Soucek, Kral, Jurasek; Cerny, Hlozek; Schick
South Korea v Czechia stats
- Korea Republic are making their 11th straight World Cup appearance.
- Czechia are back at the World Cup after a 20-year absence.
- This will be the first World Cup meeting between Korea Republic and Czechia.
- The teams have met three times before, all in friendlies.
- Korea Republic won the most recent meeting 2-1 in June 2016.
- Czechia beat Korea Republic 5-0 in August 2001.
- Their first meeting finished 2-2 in May 1998.
- Korea Republic came through Asian qualifying unbeaten.
- Korea Republic scored 40 goals and conceded eight in qualifying.
- Son Heung-min scored 10 goals in qualifying.
- Czechia qualified through the play-offs after two penalty shootout wins.
South Korea v Czechia prediction
This feels like the game that could decide who follows Mexico out of Group A, so neither side will want to hand the other an early advantage.
South Korea have the more obvious match-winners. Son to score anytime makes sense if they are to edge it, given how much of their attacking output still runs through him.
Czechia should make that difficult. Their set-piece threat gives them a way to score even if they spend long spells without the ball, which keeps Both Teams to Score in play.
The draw is probably the cleanest read on the match. Korea Republic have more attacking variety, but Czechia’s defensive structure and physical edge should stop this from becoming too open.
A 1-1 draw looks a fair prediction, with Korea Republic carrying more threat in open play and Czechia dangerous whenever the game slows down.
