Who: South Korea vs CzechiaWhat: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A matchWhere: Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, MexicoWhen: Thursday, 8pm local time (02:00 GMT Friday)How to follow: Keep up with all updates on Al Jazeera SportSouth Korea, Asia’s most successful team at the World Cup, begin their 2026 campaign with a game against Czechia, who are back at the tournament after a 20-year absence.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listWith a talented squad featuring Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae, former semifinalists South Korea – who are ranked 25th in the world – are favourites in the Group A clash and will be keen for an early win in a tough group that also includes cohosts Mexico and South Africa.But 40th-ranked Czechia are no pushovers. With players like Adam Hlozek, Patrik Schick and Pavel Sulc, they are more than capable of pulling off an upset. Son Heung-min will be leading South Korea in his fourth World Cup appearance [File: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]Son leads South Korea’s chargeAs always, all eyes will be on South Korea’s superstar Son Heung-min, who now plays his club football for Los Angeles FC.Set for his fourth appearance at the finals, the 33-year-old former Tottenham winger could be appearing in his final tournament, though it’s not confirmed.Fans will be hopeful of the captain featuring on the scoresheet after he scored twice in a recent friendly.The Koreans reached the last 16 in 2022, with Hwang Hee-chan scoring a stoppage-time winner against Portugal to take his team into the knockout rounds. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward is now keen for a repeat performance at the upcoming tournament. Advertisement “If I can have another play like that, it will be great for myself and for our team …
