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
South Korea
A win in their opening match would put South Korea in a strong position to advance from Group A.
Czech Republic
An opening win over South Korea would be a major statement and strengthen Czech Republic's chances of progressing.
Team comparison
| Stat | South Korea | Czech Republic |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 22 | 41 |
| World Cup Titles | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 11 | 2 |
| Best WC Finish | 4th place (2002) | Runners-up (1934, as Czechoslovakia) |
| Manager | Hong Myung-bo | Ivan Hašek |
| How They Qualified | AFC 3rd Round — Group B winners | UEFA Playoff Path D winner |
| 2022 World Cup | Round of 16 — lost to Brazil | Did not qualify |
| Captain | Son Heung-min | Tomáš Souček |
Prediction
South Korea 2 — 1 Czech Republic
Based on FIFA rankings and recent form. South Korea (ranked 22th) enters as the slight favourite.
Match facts
South Korea have appeared at 11 World Cups. Czech Republic have appeared at 2.
South Korea are ranked 22th in the world. Czech Republic are ranked 41th.
This match takes place at Estadio Akron, 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
Estadio Akron · Guadalajara · Capacity: 44,330
Full stadium guide →