Group A standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What each team needs
Czech Republic
With one match played, Czech Republic needs a result here to stay in contention for the knockout rounds.
South Africa
An opening win over Czech Republic would be a major statement and strengthen South Africa's chances of progressing.
Team comparison
| Stat | Czech Republic | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 41 | 61 |
| World Cup Titles | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2 | 4 |
| Best WC Finish | Runners-up (1934, as Czechoslovakia) | Group stage (2002, 2010) |
| Manager | Ivan Hašek | Hugo Broos |
| How They Qualified | UEFA Playoff Path D winner | CAF — Group C runners-up |
| 2022 World Cup | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| Captain | Tomáš Souček | Ronwen Williams |
Prediction
Czech Republic 2 — 1 South Africa
Based on FIFA rankings and recent form. Czech Republic (ranked 41th) enters as the slight favourite.
Match facts
Czech Republic have appeared at 2 World Cups. South Africa have appeared at 4.
Czech Republic are ranked 41th in the world. South Africa are ranked 61th.
This match takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is one of the 16 World Cup 2026 venues.
How to watch
| Region | Broadcast |
|---|---|
| USA (English) | FOX / FOX Sports App |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo / Peacock |
| UK | BBC / ITV (TBC) |
| Worldwide | FIFA+ (select territories) |
Venue
Mercedes-Benz Stadium · Atlanta · Capacity: 67,382
Full stadium guide →