South Korea and Czechia kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns on Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, in what is the opening Group A fixture for both nations.
For South Korea, this is an 11th consecutive World Cup appearance and a chance to build on their 2022 Round of 16 run. Czechia return to the global stage after a 20-year absence, having last appeared at Germany 2006, making this match a milestone moment for Czech football.
Both teams share the same Group A bracket alongside co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, meaning a result in this opener carries enormous weight. A win sets up a likely knockout berth; a defeat puts both sides under immediate pressure heading into their remaining group games.
This blog covers everything you need to know: how to watch and stream the South Korea vs Czechia World Cup match online, kick-off time, team news, full squad lists, tactical preview, and more.
Key Details
- Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 10:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 p.m. CT / 3:00 a.m. BST (June 12) / 4:00 a.m. CET (June 12)
- Venue: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Where to Watch: FS1 (USA) / ITV1 (UK) / SBS (Australia) / JioCinema (India)
Where to Watch South Korea vs. Czechia Football World Cup Match?
FS1 holds the English-language broadcast rights in the United States, while ITV1 and ITVX carry the match free of charge in the United Kingdom. In Australia, SBS and SBS On Demand stream every World Cup match at no cost.
How to Watch South Korea vs. Czechia with a VPN
If the match is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, which carries the game free for UK viewers.
ITVX is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, so a VPN is required to access it from outside the country. PureVPN allows you to connect to a UK IP address and stream as if you were in Britain.
Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to receive a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for the South Korea vs Czechia match and start streaming live.
South Korea vs. Czechia FIFA World Cup 2026 Team News
South Korea Team News
Head coach Hong Myung-bo returned to the South Korea job in July 2024 for a second stint, having previously managed the national team at Brazil 2014 where his spell ended after a group-stage exit. As a player, Hong was the first Asian to appear at four consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002), captained South Korea to fourth place in 2002, and was named third-best player of that tournament by FIFA.
South Korea qualified unbeaten through the AFC third round, winning six and drawing four of their 10 matches. Pre-tournament form showed real range: the side beat the United States 2-0 in September 2025 but lost 0-4 to Ivory Coast and 1-0 to Austria in March 2026. A 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on May 30, 2026 rounded out preparations.
Captain Son Heung-min scored a brace in that Trinidad win to reach 56 international goals, leaving him two short of Cha Bum-kun’s all-time South Korea record of 58. The 33-year-old LAFC forward heads into his fourth World Cup as the nation’s record appearance-maker with 144 caps. Kim Min-jae anchors a defensively experienced backline from Bayern Munich, while Lee Kang-in offers creativity from his role at Paris Saint-Germain.
Czechia Team News
Miroslav Koubek, 74, took over as Czechia head coach in December 2025 following the dismissal of Ivan Hasek after a shock 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in qualifying. The Prague-born former goalkeeper has worked almost entirely in Czech football, including three separate stints at Viktoria Plzen, winning the Czech league title there in 2015. At 74, Koubek is the oldest manager in the 2026 World Cup.
Czechia reached the tournament the hard way, surviving two consecutive penalty shootout victories in the European playoffs. They trailed the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Prague on March 26 before fighting back to draw 2-2 and winning 4-3 on penalties. Five days later they drew 2-2 with Denmark and won that shootout 3-1 to secure their first World Cup since Germany 2006.
Captain Ladislav Krejci, the Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender, was named skipper in March 2026 at age 27, a two-time Czech champion with Sparta Prague. Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick leads the attack with 25 goals in 52 international appearances, and Tomas Soucek provides the midfield engine from his wealth of West Ham United experience. Ten of the 26 players come from reigning Czech champions Slavia Prague.
South Korea World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun, Jo Hyeon-woo
- Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hyeon, Park Jin-seop, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Lee Ki-hyeok, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Han-beom, Cho Yu-min
- Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, Lee Kang-in, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan
- Forwards: Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Cho Gue-sung
Czechia World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek, Matej Kovar, Jindrich Stanek
- Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, David Doudera, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Stepan Chaloupek, David Jurasek, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny, David Zima
- Midfielders: Tomas Soucek, Adam Hlozek, Pavel Sulc, Lukas Provod, Jan Kuchta, Antonin Barak, Martin Vitik, Jakub Pesek
- Forwards: Patrik Schick, Vaclav Sejk, Tomas Chory
South Korea vs. Czechia Match Preview
South Korea and Czechia meet at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on June 11, 2026, in a Group A opener where both nations carry genuine knockout ambitions. The two sides have played three friendlies previously, with each winning one, setting up a tactically balanced encounter with no clear psychological edge.
South Korea arrive with the superior FIFA ranking (25th) and an unbeaten qualifying record, but pre-tournament results against stronger opposition revealed vulnerability. The 0-4 loss to Ivory Coast and 1-0 defeat to Austria suggested Hong Myung-bo’s side can struggle against well-organised defensive blocks. Czechia, ranked lower, operate precisely in that manner.
Czechia’s playoff journey showed steel under pressure. Two penalty shootout wins against Ireland and Denmark demonstrated composure and team unity, and Koubek has built a pragmatic, counter-attacking setup around Soucek’s midfield presence and Schick’s clinical finishing. They concede organised and look to hurt teams on the break.
Tactical Outlook
South Korea will look to dominate possession through Lee Kang-in’s creativity and Son Heung-min’s movement off the front line. Width from Hwang Hee-chan on the left and runs from midfield should create overloads against Czechia’s back line. The key battle is Lee Kang-in against the Czech defensive midfield of Soucek and Holes.
Czechia are likely to sit in a mid-block and use Schick’s physicality as an outlet on the counter. Coufal and Krejci offer experience in wide areas, and Schick’s aerial ability presents a specific threat against Kim Min-jae in set-piece situations.
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Biggest Football Tournament in History
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, the 2026 World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in FIFA World Cup 2026
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event in order to comply with FIFA’s corporate name policy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show. Coldplay will be involved in putting together the event at MetLife Stadium, in a move inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The Stars to Watch in FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for FIFA World Cup 2026
The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
FIFA World Cup 2026 official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament, it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
South Korea vs Czechia kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. For UK viewers, the match starts at 3:00 a.m. BST on Friday, June 12.
Both South Korea and Czechia are in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. The top two sides from Group A advance to the Round of 32.
Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen is Czechia’s primary attacking threat, carrying 25 goals across 52 international appearances into the tournament. His ability in the air and clinical finishing makes him a direct danger in any situation, including set pieces.
Czechia qualified through the UEFA playoffs after finishing second in their qualifying group behind Croatia. They beat the Republic of Ireland 4-3 on penalties on March 26, 2026, and followed that with a 3-1 penalty win over Denmark on March 31 to secure their first World Cup place since Germany 2006.
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