Group A heavyweights clash as Czechs end 20-year wait
South Korea and the Czech Republic both look to secure an early advantage in a competitive Group A as they kick off their 2026 World Cup campaigns in Guadalajara.
South Korea enter their 12th World Cup tournament—the most of any Asian nation—with significant momentum following a 5-0 demolition of Trinidad and Tobago and a 1-0 victory over El Salvador. Manager Myung-Bo Hong has established a pragmatic, defensively organised system designed to exploit transitions through elite Premier League talent. The Opta supercomputer currently gives the Taegeuk Warriors a 70% probability of reaching the knockout stages.
The Czech Republic are making their first World Cup appearance since 2006, ending a two-decade absence from the global stage. They arrive in Mexico unbeaten in five matches, having secured their spot via the UEFA play-offs with penalty shootout victories over Denmark and the Republic of Ireland. Following a 6-0 win over Gibraltar and a 3-1 victory against Guatemala, they are tipped with a 64.3% chance of progressing from the group.
Goals scored and conceded.
Per-game averages at this tournament — updates as the games are played.
Both teams across every game at this tournament.
South KoreaCzechia
Every tournament game combined — South Korea 3 games, Czechia 3 games.
South KoreaCzechiaPast meetings.
No prior meetings on record.
Their recent form.
The road to the final.
Twelve groups into a 32-team knockout · 72 of 72 group games played · fills in as every result lands.
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0010301141223320 (4)0 (3)20211231021210461 (3)1 (4)30011 (2)1 (3)2130203221122021321 (2)1 (4)2010010301141223320 (4)0 (3)2021123102121046