South Korea vs. Czech Republic Picks – World Cup Group A Betting Preview, Team News, and Predictions (Jun 11)
- When: Thursday, June 11, 2026. 10:00 PM ET
- Where: Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
- How to Watch: FOX
South Korea vs. Czech Republic World Cup Preview
The action at the 2026 World Cup gets underway on June 11, with the second matchup in Group A getting underway in Zapopan after Mexico’s opening clash with South Africa. South Korea and the Czech Republic will likely be in direct competition for a qualifying spot in the group, meaning that there will be pressure on both nations on MD1.
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South Korea Stats & Team News
Heung Min Son will captain South Korea at this summer’s World Cup, as the Asian nation bid to reach the round of 16 for the second straight edition. South Korea qualified with a dominant record, winning eleven of their 16 fixtures, and scoring an impressive 40 goals.
For the first time since 2010, they also avoided defeat in all qualifying fixtures. Experienced stars such as Kim Seung-Gyu, Lee Jae-Sung, and Hwang Hee-Chan form important parts of the team. Meanwhile, Son will lead the line after scoring five international goals in his last 13 appearances.
Likely Lineup:
(3-4-2-1) Seung-Gyo (GK); Han-Beom, Min-Jae, Gi-Hyuk; Young-Woo, In-Beom, Jae-Sung, Tae-Seok; Hee-Chan, Dong-Gyeong; Son
Czech Republic Stats & Team News
Czech Republic will be making their return to the global stage for the first time since 2006 this summer. Miroslav Koubek’s team won five of their ten qualifying matches, impressing defensively with just 12 goals conceded.
However, inconsistent results have followed this year, needing penalties in both rounds of the playoffs to beat Ireland and Denmark. But, it could be worth noting that Czechia have avoided defeat in their previous six.
Patrik Schick is a notable star for the team, and the striker’s confidence should be high after scoring 22 goals in all competitions in 2025-26 for Bayer Leverkusen.
Likely Lineup:
(4-2-3-1) Kovar (GK); Coufal, Zima, Krejci, Zeleny; Darida, Soucek; Sulc, Provad, Kuchta; Schick
Head-to-Head Stats
- This is the fourth meeting between the Czech Republic and South Korea.
- The most recent encounter ended in a 2-1 win for South Korea in June 2016.
- This will be the first competitive meeting between the nations.
South Korea vs. Czech Republic World Cup Picks
A cagey opening night encounter is expected due to the stakes on the line. Therefore, a low-scoring clash is likely. But, the Czech Republic’s prowess from set pieces could ultimately prove to be crucial in securing a win for the Europeans.
