Czechia vs South Africa — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 2
Venue
To be confirmed
Date
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Kickoff
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Two sides chasing their first points of the tournament meet in Group A, with both Czechia and South Africa likely beaten in their openers and desperate to keep qualification hopes alive.
Miroslav Koubek's Czechs will lean on the physical presence of Patrik Schick up front and the engine of Tomas Soucek in midfield, expecting plenty of possession against a South African side that thrives on transition. Hugo Broos has built Bafana Bafana around quick, direct attacking through the likes of Themba Zwane and Oswin Appollis.
Expect Czechia to dominate the ball and South Africa to look dangerous on the counter. Set pieces, where Soucek and Schick are constant threats, could decide a tight contest.
Key storylines
- 01Both teams under pressure after the matchday-one programme, with a defeat here likely ending realistic last-16 hopes.
- 02Patrik Schick's aerial threat against a young South African back line marshalled by Hugo Broos.
- 03South Africa's transition game through Appollis and Zwane versus Czechia's possession-based approach.
Prediction
Kickoff editorial call
Czechia 1-1 South Africa
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
