South Korea will face Czechia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match at Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico on Thursday, marking the opening day of the expanded 48-nation tournament.
Both teams are seeking an early advantage in a group that also includes co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
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Match Preview and Odds
According to data from the Opta supercomputer, South Korea enters the historic first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations as the favorite, holding a 42.9% win probability.
Czechia is assigned a 31.1% chance of victory, while the probability of a draw stands at 26%.
South Korea is making its 12th World Cup appearance, the most of any Asian nation, and its 11th consecutive tournament entry since 1986.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo, who captained the country to a historic fourth-place finish in 2002, leads an unbeaten squad from the Asian qualifiers.
Global superstar and captain Son Heung-Min anchors the South Korean roster after recording 14 goal contributions during the qualification rounds.
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The 33-year-old LAFC forward is supported by Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-Jae and Paris Saint-Germain forward Lee Kang-In, the reigning South Korea Footballer of the Year.
Czechia is competing in its second World Cup since transitioning from Czechoslovakia, having secured qualification through the UEFA playoff Path D under head coach Miroslav Koubek.
The European side enters the tournament after utilizing potent set-pieces to score 11 goals during their qualifying campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick leads the Czechian attack after netting five qualification goals, alongside active appearance leader Tomáš Souček and Lyon forward Pavel Šulc.
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Following this opening fixture, both nations will advance to play their remaining Group A matches on June 18 and June 24.
