South Korea v Czech Republic prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group A

Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opens in earnest at Estadio Akron on Friday morning as South Korea face Czech Republic in a fixture that carries immediate consequence for both sides. With co-hosts Mexico widely expected to advance, the loser of this Group A opener faces a must-win second game and a miserable climb back from a hole on the very first matchday of the tournament.

South Korea arrive as the 11th consecutive World Cup appearance for the Taegeuk Warriors, the longest active qualifying run of any Asian nation. Manager Hong Myung-bo, who captained the country at the famous 2002 semi-final run, guided his side through AFC qualifying unbeaten, winning 11 and drawing five across the third round while scoring 40 goals. Pre-tournament friendlies painted a more complicated picture: back-to-back defeats in March 2026, including a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast, exposed defensive fragility against physically strong opposition. Czech Republic are not Ivory Coast, but Hong will know the questions about his defensive shape have not been answered.

At the centre of everything for South Korea is Son Heung-min. The 33-year-old LAFC forward, who has earned 141 caps and scored 56 international goals, is appearing at his fourth World Cup, almost certainly his last. Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain and Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan provide the support around him, and when the press is on and the transitions are rapid, this attack is genuinely dangerous at international level.

Czech Republic's path to Guadalajara was the hard road. Miroslav Koubek, at 74, the oldest manager at the 2026 tournament, was hired in December 2025 with the country already in the playoff bracket after finishing runners-up in UEFA qualifying Group L behind Croatia. In the Path D semi-final, they trailed the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Prague before pulling level and advancing 4-3 on penalties. Five days later, a 2-2 draw with Denmark was followed by another shootout win, 3-1. Two games, two shootouts, one World Cup place.

This is Czech Republic's first World Cup since 2006, ending a 20-year absence from the tournament. Koubek has had exactly two competitive matches in charge, both won by penalty shootout. His system is straightforward: a 3-4-2-1 built on compactness, direct delivery into the box and an aerial threat from Patrik Schick and Tomas Soucek. Schick, the Bayer Leverkusen striker, has 25 international goals in 52 caps and scored five times in qualifying. Soucek, with 89 caps, shields the defensive shape and arrives late for headers. Lyon's Pavel Sulc, who managed 21 goal contributions in Ligue 1 this season, will look to link play between the lines.

South Korea came through their two pre-tournament friendlies without injury concerns, though Cho Yu-min was replaced in the training camp by uncapped Cho Wi-je after picking up a knock. Czech Republic also reported no injury issues during pre-World Cup preparations, with Adam Hlozek recovering from a long-term injury to make the squad. Koubek's side are at full strength.

South Korea: No major injury concerns ahead of matchday one. Cho Yu-min was withdrawn during the training camp with a knock and replaced by uncapped Cho Wi-je, but the rest of Hong Myung-bo's squad is available. Son Heung-min captains the side and is fit. Kim Min-jae leads the defensive line. Hong is expected to use a 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 shape.

Czech Republic: Miroslav Koubek has a fully fit squad available. Adam Hlozek returned from a long-term injury in time to make the travelling party, giving Koubek an extra creative option. Matej Kovar is expected in goal, with Ladislav Krejci captaining the side from a back-three. Patrik Schick leads the attack.

Hong Myung-bo is likely to set up in a three-at-the-back shape, using the wing-backs to push high and funnelling play through Son and Lee Kang-in behind the striker. Koubek's 3-4-2-1 mirrors the same structural logic on the other side: Coufal and Jurasek as the wide outlets, Soucek and Krejci as the physical spine, with Schick as the aerial focal point.

South Korea: Kim Seung-gyu; Lee Ki-hyeok, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom; Seol Young-woo, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Tae-seok; Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min; Hwang Hee-chan

Czech Republic: Kovar; Holes, Krejci, Zima; Coufal, Soucek, Sadilek, Jurasek; Sulc, Provod; Schick

South Korea v Czech Republic kicks off at 03:00 BST on Friday 12 June 2026. The match is broadcast live in the UK on ITV1, with streaming available via ITVX. Every 2026 FIFA World Cup fixture is free-to-air in the United Kingdom across the BBC and ITV networks.