South Korea and the Czech Republic debut this Thursday, June 11, at 11pm (Brasília time), at the Akron Stadium, in Jalisco, Mexico, in the first round of Group A of the 2026 World Cup. The clash pits two teams with different trajectories face to face: the Asians arrive undefeated in the Qualifiers, while the Europeans return to the tournament after 20 years of absence.
At the center of this match is Kim Min-jae, Bayern Munich’s starting defender and South Korea’s main defensive reference. At 29 years old, the 1.90m tall player arrives at the World Cup as one of the most experienced names in the squad led by Hong Myung-bo. His presence in the center of the defense is seen as fundamental to containing the air power and infiltrations of the Czech Republic, especially from Bayer Leverkusen center forward Patrik Schick.
Kim Min-jae has played 79 games for the South Korean national team since his debut in 2017 and has established himself as a pillar of the team. In the 2025/2026 season for Bayern, he played 25 Bundesliga matches, with one goal, one assist, 166 tackles and an impressive average rating of 7.39. Even with rotation at the club, the defender showed consistency in aerial duels and recovery speed, attributes that will be tested against the physical style of the Czechs.
South Korea qualified undefeated in the Asian Qualifiers, with 11 wins and five draws. This defensive solidity has the finger of Kim Min-jae, who leads the sector alongside teammates like Lee Han-beom and Lee Gi-hyuk in the likely formation. In the last World Cup, in 2022, the team stopped in the round of 16 against Brazil. Now, the expectation is to advance to the next stage in a group that also includes Mexico and South Africa.
Kim Min-jae’s path to Bayern
Born on November 15, 1996, in Tongyeong, Kim began his career in South Korean football before making the leap to Europe. Passages at Fenerbahçe, Napoli — where he was Italian champion — and now Bayern Munich have consolidated his reputation as a modern defender: strong in the air, quick to cut and capable of starting plays from behind.
In the current season for Bayern, he contributed to important clean sheets, such as in the 3-0 victories against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. His style combines tactical discipline with physical intensity, which makes him a key player in Hong Myung-bo’s strategy, who usually relies on a compact defensive line and quick transitions.
The duel against the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic returns to the World Cup after a long hiatus. They qualified via repechage, beating Ireland and Denmark on penalties. His strong point is his aerial and physical play, with Vladimir Coufal exploring the right side and Patrik Schick as a reference in attack.
Analysts point to the direct confrontation between Kim Min-jae and Schick as one of the highlights of the match. The Czech is skilled inside the box and good at set pieces. The South Korean defender will have to use his recovery speed and physical strength to limit spaces. Forecasts indicate that Korea should rely on tight marking in the middle and speed on the flanks with Seol Young-woo and Lee Kang-in.
In the preparatory friendlies, Korea beat Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 and beat El Salvador 1-0. Kim Min-jae participated and showed that he has recovered from possible physical discomforts that initially raised doubts about his condition.
South Korea’s probable lineup
Jo Hyeon-woo; Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, Lee Gi-hyuk; Hwang In-beom, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in; Hwang Hee-chan, Son Heung-min (with possible variations including Lee Tae-seok and others).
Probable lineup for the Czech Republic
Matej Kovár; Chaloupek, Robin Hranác, Ladislav Krejcí; Vladimír Coufal, Vladimír Darida, Tomáš Soucek, Lukáš Provod; Pavel Šulc, Jaroslav Zelený; Patrick Schick.
Arbitration
Referee: Amin Mohamed (Egypt) Assistants: Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt) Fourth referee: Juan Calderon (Costa Rica) VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt) VAR assistant: Joe Dickerson (United States)
Where to watch
The match will be broadcast on Cazé TV. ge tracks all bids in real time.
Why Kim Min-jae is South Korea’s greatest asset
In addition to the numbers, the defender carries leadership on the field. His experience in major European leagues allows him to read the game in advance, organizing the defense and distributing the first pass. In Korea, he is compared to idols of the past for his ability to be “the wall” that allows Son Heung-min and company to shine in attack.
Coach Hong Myung-bo has emphasized the importance of a solid defense to dream of reaching the round of 16 or beyond. Kim Min-jae, with his track record of titles and consistent performances, embodies this confidence. Even with a rotation at Bayern last season, he ended the year with titles and is motivated to shine in Mexico.
The game marks the return of a European team absent since 2006 and the start of an ambitious campaign for the Asians. Kim Min-jae’s performance could set not only the outcome of the debut, but the tone for South Korea throughout the tournament.
The pressure is high, but the defender has proven on several occasions that he grows in decisive moments. If the South Korean defense remains firm, the path to advance in Group A becomes clearer. The duel against the Czechs serves as the first big test for Kim Min-jae and company in search of history in the 2026 World Cup.
(Continued with tactical analysis and historical context to achieve depth)
Korea’s recent trajectory shows evolution. The unbeaten record in the Qualifiers was no coincidence: the balance between fast attack and organized defense, anchored by Kim Min-jae, was decisive. Against more physical teams like the Czech Republic, the secret will be in compactness and precise release of the ball from the defender.
Fans and analysts highlight that, at 29 years old, Kim is in her prime. His adaptation to European football, passing through Italy and Germany, prepared him for the intense pace of a World Cup. The confrontation at Akron Stadium, with different altitude and weather conditions, will demand even more from him.