Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 World Cup
Group A
Czechia v South Africa
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
18 June 2026, 18:00
South Africa and Czechia (Czech Republic) will both be looking to bounce back from opening defeats in their 2026 World Cup campaigns when they meet in a Group A clash, set for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on the evening of Thursday 18 June. Kick-off is at 18:00.
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start, as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener in Mexico City on June 11. Not only did Hugo Broos’s side suffer a defeat which compromised their ability to advance beyond the group stage for the first time, they also had two players sent off.
Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane both picked up straight red cards against El Tri, ruling them out of this clash against Czechia due to suspension.
"It's not nice for both players to get a red card in the first game of the World Cup. Now we have two players who cannot play the next game,” said Broos, whose team has not won a match since defeating Zimbabwe in the group stage of the last Africa Cup of Nations – a run of six fixtures.
"But, we still have a lot of players, so if we show the same mentality and play the same way as [against Mexico], I'm sure we will have great results in the next two games."
Czechia find themselves in the same position as SA – albeit without the suspension worries – after they succumbed 2-1 at the hands of South Korea in their opening clash in Guadalajara a few hours after the clash between Bafana and Mexico.
Repre (the Representatives) coach Miroslav Koubek had the grace to admit that South Korea deserved to defeat his side, and is hopeful of both a stronger showing and a better result when they tackle South Africa in Atlanta.
“We really made some mistakes but also made opportunities. Our opponent was very fast," Koubek told reporters. "The better team won. We had to fight and we did. Now we need to move on. We need to be more attacking and creative in the last 30 metres. In the attack we have room for improvement."
South Africa and Czechia have met in just one previous match: a thrilling 2-2 draw in the group stage of the 1997 Confederations Cup, held in December at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Czechia v South Africa, head-to-head
Matches played 1
Czechia wins 0
South Africa wins 0
Draws 1
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