The teams from South Korea and the Czech Republic are preparing for the clash that will mark their debut in the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled for this Thursday, at 11pm (Brasília time), and will take place at the Akron stadium, located in Jalisco, Mexico. This clash between Asian and European teams is valid for the first round of Group A of the tournament, which also includes Mexico and South Africa.
The 2026 World Cup, with its expanded format, promises to arouse the interest of millions of fans around the globe, following each move and development of the teams in search of football’s ultimate title.
Details of the opening of Group A at the 2026 World Cup
South Korea secured its place in the tournament with an impeccable campaign in the Qualifiers, recording 11 wins and five draws. This is the 11th consecutive time that the South Koreans have been present on the main stage of world football, demonstrating remarkable consistency. However, the team seeks to overcome their elimination in the round of 16 against Brazil in the 2022 edition, in Qatar, with the aim of advancing further in the competition.
On the other hand, the Czech Republic celebrates a long-awaited return to the World Cup after a two-decade hiatus. The European team guaranteed its qualification in an exciting way, finishing second in its group in the Qualifiers, which took it to the repechage. There, they beat Ireland in a knockout match and, in the decisive match, secured their place by beating Denmark in a penalty shootout, marking a significant achievement for Czech football.
Analysis of the South Korean team led by Hong Myungbo
South Korea arrives at the competition with great expectations, under the leadership of their captain and star, Heung-min Son, former Tottenham player and currently a Los Angeles FC player. In preparation friendlies, the team demonstrated offensive strength, beating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 and then beating El Salvador 1-0.
Attacking midfielder Pavel Šulc should start for the Czech Republic in today’s match against South Korea.
The 25-year-old young talent, who shines at Lyon, in France, is one of the main creative pieces of the Czech team and is tipped to play in the offensive sector alongside names like Lukáš Provod and Tomáš Souček. With refined technical ability, keen vision of the game, finishing ability and intense pressure, Šulc will be fundamental in creating chances, unbalancing the South Korean defense and supporting the attack led by Patrik Schick, in the two teams’ debut in Group A of the 2026 World Cup, at the Akron Stadium, in Mexico.
The expectation is that the team will adopt a strategy with a single striker, strengthening the midfield and exploiting the speed of its players on the sides of the field. The likely lineup includes: Jo Hyeonwoo; Lee Hanbeom, Kim Minjae and Lee Gihyuk; Seol Youngwoo, Hwang Inbeom, Lee Jaesung and Lee Taeseok; Lee Kangin, Hwang Heechan (Lee Donggyeong) and Son Heungmin.
Panorama of the Czech Republic under Miroslav Kouvek
The Czech Republic is known for a very physical style of play and a strong presence in the air, characteristics that should be exploited to trouble the South Korean defense. The team tends to focus its attacks on the right side of the attack, taking advantage of the infiltrations of Vladimir Coufal, a Hoffenheim player. The main goalscoring hopes fall on center forward Patrik Schick, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen.
The likely Czech lineup is: Matej Kovár; Chaloupek, Robin Hranác and Ladislav Krejcí; Vladimír Coufal, Vladimír Darida, Tomáš Soucek, Lukáš Provod, Pavel Šulc and Jaroslav Zelený; Patrick Schick.
Referee body for the match
- Arbitrator:Amin Mohamed (Egypt)
- Assistant 1:Mahmoud Abouelregal (Egypt)
- Assistant 2:Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt)
- Fourth referee:Juan Calderon (Costa Rica)
- VAR:Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)
- VAR Assistant:Joe Dickerson (United States)
Game broadcast information
- Transmission:Caze TV
- Real time:Detailed monitoring of the game over the internet.
