South Korea opens its 2026 North American World Cup group stage campaign against the Czech Republic.
The South Korean national team, led by manager Hong Myung-bo, plays its Group A opener against the Czech Republic at 11 a.m. Korea time on Thursday at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico.
Grouped with Mexico and South Africa, South Korea aims to reach the round of 16 abroad for a second consecutive tournament, following the 2022 Qatar event.
With the number of participating nations expanded from 32 to 48 in this tournament, even third-place finishers in each group can advance to the knockout stage.
South Korea sits 25th in the FIFA rankings, 15 places ahead of the 40th-ranked Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic aims to beat South Korea with technically skilled players including their main striker Patrik Schick of Leverkusen (Germany) and Pavel Sulc of Lyon.
In Hong's attacking lineup, Son Heung-min (LAFC) is expected to lead the line, with Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) taking the left and right flanks.
Son Heung-min, who has scored three World Cup goals alongside Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung, would become the sole leader in career World Cup goals among Koreans if he scores in this tournament.
In the earlier Group A opener between Mexico and South Africa, Mexico won 2-0 with consecutive goals from Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah) and Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton).
The victory in their opening match gives Mexico an advantageous position for advancing to the round of 32.
South Africa, on the other hand, collapsed after having two players sent off, signaling a difficult group stage ahead.
