South Korea and the Czech Republic face off in the opening match of Group A at the 2026 World Cup in a duel that could shape both teams’ path in the fight for a place in the round of 16. Two national teams with different styles but the same objective: to start the group stage by earning three points in a group where Mexico is considered the clear favorite.
The match will be played at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, located in Zapopan (Mexico), a venue with a capacity of around 50,000 spectators and the usual home of Club Deportivo Guadalajara. Unlike other tournament venues, an atmosphere as imposing as that of the Azteca Stadium is not expected, where the host national team will play alongside South Africa.
What time is the South Korea vs. Czech Republic match in the 2026 World Cup?
The match will be played on Thursday, June 11, at 10:00 PM EST.
Where can I watch the South Korea vs. Czech Republic match in the 2026 World Cup?
The match can be watched live on FS1, Telemundo, and Peacock in the United States.
How are the two teams coming into it?
Czech Republic arrives after a hard-fought qualification in the playoffs, where it had to overcome two very tight ties against Ireland and Denmark, both decided in extra time or in the penalty shootout. The European side comes into the tournament with the intention of confirming its competitive growth and making a statement from the very first match.
For their part, South Korea enters the World Cup after an inconsistent run of preparation in their friendly matches, with very mixed results ranging from a heavy defeat to Ivory Coast to clear victories over teams such as Ghana or El Salvador. The profile of a competitive team, but still in search of consistency on the biggest stages.
An evenly matched and hard-fought game is expected between two national teams that, along with South Africa, will battle to join Mexico in the next round. In a very open group, this first clash could prove decisive for both sides’ ambitions. On MARCA.com you can follow the live coverage, with the preview, lineups, minute-by-minute updates, and all the reaction from the match.