South Korea vs Czech Republic.

Match preview

South Korea and Czechia clash in Guadalajara in what is one of Group A's most critical early contests, with both sides knowing that a win here could all but secure their place in the knockout rounds ahead of the daunting task of facing co-hosts Mexico. South Korea enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup in their 12th consecutive appearance, and all eyes will once again fall on captain Son Heung-min, now 33 and playing his fourth World Cup having made the move from Tottenham Hotspur to LAFC in Major League Soccer. Alongside him, Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in brings elite creative quality in midfield, while Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae anchors what should be a well-organised defensive unit under coach Hong Myung-bo. South Korea's qualifying campaign was unbeaten, and despite some internal turbulence in recent years, this squad has genuine depth across the park, with Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan and Feyenoord's Hwang In-beom providing additional threat from wide and central areas. Czechia, whose predecessors Czechoslovakia reached the World Cup final in both 1934 and 1962, arrive as a disciplined European outfit who will look to frustrate and hit on the counter, and South Korea cannot afford to be complacent in what looks like the group's most evenly matched fixture. With Mexico expected to top Group A, this match is effectively a de facto contest for second place, making it a must-win scenario for both sides right from the tournament's opening day. Expect a tight, tactically cautious affair decided by a moment of individual quality, with Son Heung-min the most dangerous player on the pitch. Bet Right