Two camps who will get their respective World Cup adventures underway in the early hours of Friday, South Korea and the Czech Republic will meet in Guadalajara.
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Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 11/4
Bookmaker:Â BetUS
South Korea
Starting with South Korea, while the Tigers of Asia might have opened 2026 with consecutive defeats, Hong Myung-bo's side have certainly claimed some crucial momentum over the past fortnight. Getting the final stint of their pre-tournament preparations underway with an empathic 5-0 romp against Trinidad and Tobago, the Reds have their sights firmly fixed on mounting an historic knockout stage charge this summer. Despite getting the New Year underway with a shock 4-0 drumming against the Ivory Coast, South Korea have gained a reputation for their defensive grit. Signing off their preparations with an uneventful 1-0 win against El Salvador, Myung-bo's men have registered a clean sheet in five of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. If the Asian heavyweights are to better the Round of 16 finish that they produced out in Qatar four years ago, they face what could be a must-win showdown here.
South Korea Team News
Now in his second campaign with MLS giants Los Angeles FC, former Tottenham talisman Heung-Min Son will shoulder plenty of South Korea's attacking threat and will lead his nation out in Guadalajara.
While Kang-In Lee might be widely expected to complete a permanent switch away from reigning European champions PSG this summer, the 25-year-old will start in the middle of the park. Helping Bayern Munich successfully defend their Bundesliga crown this season, Min-Jae Kim will start at the heart of Korea's defence.
Czech Republic
As for the Czech Republic, booking their ticket to North America in the most dramatic of circumstances back in March, Miroslav Koubek's side have enjoyed a real fairytale over the past eight months. Signing off their pre-World Cup preparations with a 3-1 victory against Guatemala in New Jersey, the former Viktoria Plzen boss has also seen his squad impress with their free-scoring performances in the final third. Signing off 2025 with a dominant 6-0 romp against Gibraltar, the Representatives have won all of their previous six consecutive appearances across all competitions and they open their World Cup adventure in the early hours of Friday riding a major wave of momentum. Likewise, gaining a recent reputation for their lively outcomes, the Czech Republic have seen their previous five appearances produce 21 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Czech Republic Team News
Making a timely return from a muscle injury list month, Hoffenheim striker Adam Hlozek has been included in Koubek's World Cup squad. Bagging 16 Bundesliga strikes for Bayer Leverkusen this season, Patrik Schick should spearhead the Czech Republic's attack.
Despite suffering a Premier League relegation with West Ham last month and serious question marks over his domestic future, Tomas Soucek will start in the middle of the park. Former Hammers defender Vladimir Coufal will start at right-back and earn a 62nd international cap here.
South Korea vs Czech Republic Key Factors to Consider
- The last time South Korea and the Czech Republic met back in the summer of 2016, the Tigers of Asia secured a 2-1 victory in Prague.
- The Czech Republic have won all of their previous six consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- South Korea have registered a clean sheet in five of their previous seven matchups across all fronts.
- Koubek's men have seen their previous five appearances produce 21 goals at both ends of the pitch.
- Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick notched 16 Bundesliga strikes this season and only three players in Germany's elite registered more top-flight goals.
Conclusion
Two camps who have their sights firmly set on punching their own respective knockout stage tickets this summer, we could be set for a real chess match in Guatemala. While the Czech Republic might have gained a recent reputation for their action-packed affairs, they open their World Cup adventure with what could be a rugged test in the early hours of Friday. Meeting a South Korea defence who have registered five clean sheets from their previous seven outings, we have a real battle of philosophies.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 11/4
Bookmaker:Â BetUS
