South Korea and the Czech Republic face each other this Thursday, June 11, 2026, starting at 11pm (Brasília time), at the Akron Stadium, in Jalisco, Mexico. The game opens the first round of Group A of the World Cup, which also includes Mexico and South Africa. ge follows all the moves in real time.
South Korea arrives as relative favorites after an undefeated campaign in the Asian Qualifiers, with 11 wins and five draws. It is the 11th consecutive participation of Asians in World Cups. In 2022, in Qatar, they stopped in the round of 16 against Brazil. The Czech Republic returns to the tournament after a 20-year absence, having advanced through the play-offs by beating Ireland and Denmark on penalties.
Lee Taeseok, the 23-year-old full-back who represents the new South Korean generation
Born on July 28, 2002 in Incheon, Lee Taeseok is 23 years old and emerges as one of the main promises on the left side of the team. Called up by Hong Myung-bo, he should start among the starters in the probable lineup, acting as a winger or with projection in attack. His presence reflects the mix of youth and experience in the Asian cast.
At 1.74 m tall and with a dominant left foot, Lee stands out for his speed, crossing ability and versatility. He can also play as a left winger, which gives the coach tactical options. In the 2025/2026 season for Austria Wien, in the Austrian Bundesliga, he played around 30 games, scoring three goals and contributing assists, showing a quick adaptation to European football.
Lee Taeseok’s career before Europe
A graduate of FC Seoul’s youth teams, Lee Taeseok made his professional debut in 2021 for the South Korean club, where he played 89 goalless games. In 2024, he transferred to the Pohang Steelers, where he played in 34 matches, scored two goals and won the South Korean Cup. This move helped to consolidate his reputation as an attacking full-back.
In August 2025, Lee moved to Austria Wien for around 800 thousand euros. The transfer marked his arrival in Europe, where he quickly established himself as a starter. His performances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the East Asian Cup drew attention, making him the main option on the left side of the team, a position that had no absolute owner.
For the main team, Lee Taeseok debuted in 2024 and has played around 15 games, with one goal. He has already represented the country in the youth teams (Under-20 and Under-23) and is now living his dream of the first World Cup in his career. His rapid rise symbolizes the renewal of the South Korean team, which includes veterans like Son Heung-min.
Lee Taeseok’s tactical role against the Czech Republic
The duel against the Czechs requires balance. The Czech Republic bets on physical strength, aerial play and infiltrations from the right side, with highlights for Vladimír Coufal and Patrik Schick. Lee Taeseok, on the South Korean left back, will have a double mission: to contain the opponent’s attacks and offer attack options through speed.
In Hong Myung-bo’s likely formation, with a populated midfield and speed on the wings, Lee fits well. He should form the defensive line alongside Seol Young-woo and central defenders like Kim Min-jae. His ability to transition to the attack can create imbalances, especially in quick transitions — a hallmark of Korea in this World Cup.
South Korea’s preparation and form
The Asians are coming off good results in friendlies: a 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago and a 1-0 victory against El Salvador. Son Heung-min, now at Los Angeles FC, leads the attack, but the middle and flanks take center stage with names like Lee Kang-in, Hwang In-beom and Lee Taeseok himself. The coach is betting on a fixed striker (probably Hwang Hee-chan) and a lot of movement.
Lee Taeseok overcame a recent slight calf injury and is fully recovered, participating in training in Mexico. His good form at Austria Wien, with solid average ratings and offensive contributions, reinforces the confidence of the coaching staff. At 23 years old, he represents the future, but already shows maturity for high-level games.
Czech Republic and the challenge of confrontation
On the European side, coach Miroslav Koubek assembles a physical team, with an emphasis on set pieces and transitions. Patrik Schick, from Bayer Leverkusen, is the main reference in attack. The refereeing is in charge of Amin Mohamed (Egypt), with a mostly Egyptian team and an American assistant in the VAR. The Akron Stadium, a modern venue, should receive a good crowd.
For Lee Taeseok, the game represents an opportunity to establish himself on a global level. His offensive style can exploit spaces left by the Czech defense, which prioritizes organization but can suffer with speed. The full-back has already shown in the Qualifiers that he knows how to decide in important moments.
Lee Taeseok’s history and potential in the national team
From the ground up, Lee accumulates international experience. His evolution from a K League player to Europe in just a few years is impressive. At Austria Wien, he contributed to the team with goals and consistent performances, raising his market value to around 2 million euros. In the national team, he became the main choice at left back thanks to solid defensive performance and offensive projection.
Hong Myung-bo, with extensive experience as a player and coach, values full-backs who participate in the game as a whole. Lee Taeseok fits this profile, offering options to vary the system during the match. His presence in the World Cup at the age of 23 paves the way for a decade of protagonism in the national team.
Details of the likely South Korean lineup
Probable lineup: 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. Lee Taeseok should start on the left, bringing dynamism to the sector.
Czech Republic – coach: Miroslav Kouvek
Probable lineup: Matej Kovár; Chaloupek, Robin Hranác and Ladislav Krejcí; Vladimír Coufal, Vladimír Darida, Tomáš Soucek, Lukáš Provod, Pavel Šulc and Jaroslav Zelený; Patrick Schick.
Arbitration
- Referee: 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)
Where to watch
- Broadcast: Cazé TV
- Real time: ge.globo
