South Korea face Czechia in Group A opener
South Korea and Czechia meet in Guadalajara on 11 June in the first Group A match not involving co-host Mexico, with FIFA's schedule placing the fixture immediately after the tournament opener. The sporting stakes are unusually sharp for a first match because FIFA's 2026 format sends the top two teams in each group, plus eight of the twelve third-placed teams, into a new round of 32. South Korea arrive with Son Heung-min still the focal point and Hong Myung-bo, captain of the 2002 semi-final side, now managing the team. Czechia return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, built around Patrik Schick and Tomáš Souček under Miroslav Koubek. For Belgium Pulse readers, the direct Belgian hook is Group A's knock-on effect on Belgian coach Hugo Broos, whose South Africa side must face both teams later in the group.
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About this story
Korea Republic, commonly South Korea (East Asian state and regular AFC World Cup qualifier), are playing their 2026 Group A opener. Czechia (Central European EU member state, also called the Czech Republic in many football contexts) are back at the World Cup after a 20-year absence. Estadio Guadalajara (World Cup venue in Guadalajara, Mexico) hosts the match. FIFA World Cup 2026 (men's tournament from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States) is the first 48-team edition. Group A (Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czechia) is the opening group. Son Heung-min (South Korean captain and forward, born 1992) remains the team's best-known player. Hong Myung-bo (South Korea coach and former 2002 World Cup captain) leads the side. Patrik Schick (Czech striker for Bayer Leverkusen) and Tomáš Souček (Czech midfielder and captain) anchor Czechia. Miroslav Koubek (Czech coach, appointed before the 2026 finals) manages Czechia. Hugo Broos (Belgian coach, born 1952) manages South Africa.
How to read this story
The history
FIFA's 2026 format is a major break from the 32-team model used from 1998 through 2022: the official tournament structure expands the field to 48 teams, 12 groups and a round of 32. South Korea's modern World Cup identity still draws on 2002, when the co-hosts reached the semi-finals with Hong Myung-bo as captain. Czechia's independent national team last played at a World Cup in 2006, while Czechoslovakia reached the final in 1934 and 1962. The teams' most recent meeting before this tournament was a 2016 friendly won by South Korea.
Why now
The match is timely because FIFA's 2026 World Cup begins on 11 June, and South Korea v Czechia is one of the first fixtures in Group A after Mexico's opening match against South Africa.
What to watch
Watch the confirmed starting XIs, Son Heung-min's role in Hong Myung-bo's system, Czechia's service into Patrik Schick, and the goal-difference picture after Mexico v South Africa. Group A's later fixtures will show whether this opener was decisive or merely stabilising.
Local impact
The clearest Belgian local impact is among football venues and supporter communities in Brussels, Antwerp and university cities that follow international teams. The match also gives Belgian supporters of Hugo Broos a direct reason to watch Group A before South Africa's later fixtures.
International angle
The fixture links Asia and Europe in a group hosted in Mexico, showing the global spread of the expanded World Cup. Czechia's involvement also gives the match an EU dimension, while South Korea bring one of Asia's most established World Cup records into a group containing African and North American opposition.
What this means for you
Belgian readers following the tournament should treat this as an early form guide for Group A, especially if tracking Hugo Broos' South Africa. The practical takeaway is simple: the result will shape South Africa's margin for error and indicate how aggressive both South Korea and Czechia may need to be in their second matches.
What happens next
After this opener, FIFA's Group A schedule sends Czechia into a match against South Africa and South Korea into a meeting with Mexico. The group concludes on 24 June, when final standings will determine direct qualification or possible third-place advancement. The first result could shape whether either side can manage the remaining fixtures or must chase wins immediately.
Potential consequences
A South Korea win would strengthen their claim to a top-two place before facing Mexico. A Czechia win would be a major step toward ending their long World Cup absence with a knockout match. A draw could keep both sides alive but make their later matches against South Africa and Mexico more pressured. For Hugo Broos' South Africa, the scoreline will help define whether the next opponents are protecting points or chasing recovery.
Timeline
- 2002-06-25·South Korea reached the World Cup semi-finals, with Hong Myung-bo captaining the team.
- 2006-06-22·Czechia last played a World Cup finals match before the 2026 tournament.
- 2026-06-11·South Korea and Czechia meet in Group A at Estadio Guadalajara.
- 2026-06-24·Group A is scheduled to conclude.
Glossary
- Round of 32
- The first knockout round in FIFA World Cup 2026, added because the tournament expanded to 48 teams.
- Best third-placed teams
- The eight highest-ranked third-place finishers across the twelve groups, determined by FIFA's group-ranking criteria.
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This briefing was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by a Belgium Impulse editor before publication. methodology.