South Korea and Czech Republic meet in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A fixture at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on Friday, 13 June 2026, with kick-off at 04:00 SAST. Here is a full look at the match details, team news, key stats, head-to-head record and the major talking points ahead of the game.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group A |
| Date & kick-off | Friday, 13 June 2026, 04:00 SAST |
| Venue | Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Group | Group A |
Son chasing history
South Korea arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Asia’s most consistent tournament side. This is their 11th consecutive World Cup and 12th overall, a record for an Asian nation.
Captain Son Heung-min, now playing his club football for Los Angeles FC after a storied career in Europe, enters the tournament just two goals away from equalling South Korea’s all-time scoring record. The mark of 55 international goals has been held by Cha Bum-kun for more than 40 years.
South Korea were also the only unbeaten team throughout AFC qualifying, winning 11 and drawing five of their 16 matches. They scored 40 goals during that run, with Son leading the way with ten. It underlines the balance in this side: disciplined without the ball, direct in transition and dangerous when space opens up.
Czech Republic, meanwhile, make only their second World Cup appearance, having debuted in 2006 before exiting at the group stage. Their route to 2026 came through two UEFA play-offs, proving their resilience under pressure.
They also bring a major set-piece threat. Half of their qualifying goals came from dead-ball situations, including seven directly from corners. Against a South Korean side built around organisation and speed, those moments could be decisive.
Team news
Son Heung-min starts as captain and remains South Korea’s primary attacking threat. Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in are all in contention for attacking roles, giving South Korea quality and flexibility in the final third.
Kim Min-jae anchors the defence and will be central to South Korea’s hopes of keeping Czech Republic quiet. Defender Cho Yu-min has been ruled out with a foot injury, with Jo Wi-je earning an uncapped call-up as his replacement.
South Korea predicted XI: Kim Seung-gyu; Lee Gi-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom; Seol Young-woo, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Tae-seok; Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung; Son Heung-min.
For Czech Republic, Patrik Schick leads the attack. He has scored six goals in seven major tournament appearances for his country and added five more during qualifying.
Pavel Sulc is expected to operate as the key creator behind Schick, while Tomas Soucek brings experience and physical presence in midfield. Captain Ladislav Krejci should start in defence, with goalkeeper Matej Kovar also expected to feature after his penalty shoot-out heroics in qualifying.
Czech Republic predicted XI: Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Cerv, Soucek, Jurasek; Provod, Sulc; Schick.
Key stats
- Son Heung-min needs two more goals to equal South Korea’s all-time scoring record of 55 goals, held by Cha Bum-kun.
- South Korea were the only unbeaten team in AFC qualifying, finishing with 11 wins and five draws.
- South Korea scored 40 goals during qualifying.
- Czech Republic scored 50% of their qualifying goals from set pieces, including seven from corners.
- Patrik Schick has scored six goals in seven major tournament appearances for Czech Republic.
- South Korea’s current form: WWLLWW.
- Czech Republic’s current form: WWWWWW.
- Czech Republic enter the match on a six-game winning run.
- The sides last met in 2016, when South Korea won a friendly 2-1.
Head-to-head
South Korea and Czech Republic have met only once before, with South Korea winning a 2016 friendly 2-1.
This will be their first World Cup meeting and their first major tournament clash, which adds intrigue to the tactical battle. South Korea bring pace, mobility and transition threat, while Czech Republic arrive with strong form, physicality and set-piece power.
Our prediction
This Group A fixture has the feel of a match where both sides will be cautious early. South Korea have the attacking quality to hurt Czech Republic through Son, Hwang and Lee Jae-sung, especially if they can create space in transition.
Czech Republic, though, are in excellent form and carry a clear set-piece threat. With Schick leading the line and Krejci, Soucek and others providing aerial strength, South Korea will need to defend carefully around their own box.
Kim Min-jae’s leadership at the back gives South Korea a strong platform, but Czech Republic’s winning run and physical edge suggest this could be a tight contest rather than an open shootout.
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals at 1.64
Frequently asked questions
What time does South Korea vs Czech Republic kick off in South Africa?
South Korea vs Czech Republic kicks off at 04:00 SAST on Friday, 13 June 2026, at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.
What is the South Korea vs Czech Republic head-to-head record?
The sides have met once before. South Korea won a 2016 friendly 2-1. This World Cup fixture will be their first major tournament meeting.
How close is Son Heung-min to South Korea’s all-time scoring record?
Son Heung-min needs two more goals to equal Cha Bum-kun’s South Korea record of 55 international goals.
Where is South Korea vs Czech Republic being played?
The match is being played at Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico.
What group are South Korea and Czech Republic in?
South Korea and Czech Republic are in Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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