Koreans and Czechs Begin Battle for World Cup 2026 Knockouts. The second Group A match of the 2026 World Cup kicks off in Guadalajara. South Korea and the Czech Republic fight for three points after Mexico’s win. Both squads have announced their starting lineups.
The second Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today in Guadalajara: South Korea and the Czech Republic take to the field in a battle for three crucial points. After Mexico confidently defeated South Africa in the opening match (2:0), both teams are under pressure not only to avoid defeat, but also to try to surpass the tournament hosts on goal difference.
South Korea enters the tournament on the back of an impressive run of 11 consecutive World Cup qualifications without a single loss in the qualifiers. The squad features internationally experienced players: Son Heung-Min (Los Ángeles F.C.), Lee Kang-In (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-Jae (Bayern München). Head coach Myung Bo Hong has emphasized stability, starting Kim Seung Gyu, Lee Ki Hyuk, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Han Beom, Lee Tae Seok, Paik Seung Ho, Hwang In Beom, Seol Young Woo, Lee Jae Sung, Lee Kang In, and Son Heung Min.
The Czech Republic returns to the world stage after a 20-year absence. The road to the tournament was challenging, but Miroslav Kobek's team is counting on the scoring prowess of Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen). The starting lineup for the Czechs: Matěj Kovář, Ladislav Krejčí, Robin Hranáč, Štěpán Chaloupek, Jaroslav Zelený, Alexander Sojka, Tomáš Souček, Vladimír Coufal, Lukáš Provod, Pavel Šulc, and Patrik Schick.
A victory by either team by more than two goals will allow them to overtake Mexico and top Group A. This adds extra intrigue to the match: for both squads, the encounter becomes not just an opening game, but an opportunity to immediately stake their claim for a playoff spot. The focus is on Son’s attacking power for South Korea and Schick’s physical dominance for the Czechs.
Expectations for the tournament in Mexico are already high: the opening match between Mexico and South Africa was memorable not just for the result, but also for three red cards, which intensified the battle to advance from the group. As noted by russpain.com, the tournament hosts have relied on a mix of experience and fresh faces, which has already paid off in the first game. in Mexico’s squad list for the 2026 World Cup.
The match is being held at the stadium in Guadalajara, one of the key cities of the tournament. For reference: South Korea consistently advances from the group stage at recent World Cups, while the Czech Republic is returning to the tournament for the first time since 2006. If the match ends in a draw, both teams will still have a chance to advance, but will make things more difficult for themselves in the next rounds. Now, not only fans in Mexico but also in Spain, where interest in the tournament is traditionally high, will be watching the developments in Group A.
