The second round of group matches at the 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday with Czechia facing South Africa in Group A at Atlanta's stadium in Georgia, USA. Both teams lost their opening games and are forced to take all three points if they want to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
In their opener, Czechia led South Korea thanks to a goal from captain Ladislav Krejci, but eventually lost 1-2 in Guadalajara, Mexico. South Africa, meanwhile, lost 0-2 to hosts Mexico in Mexico City despite finishing with nine men after two red cards.
Both sides have flown to the USA with bruised spirits, determined to bounce back and maintain their chance of progressing in the 48-team tournament.
Czechia under pressure
Czechia returned to the World Cup after a 20-year absence. Their game plan based on aerial balls and set pieces failed against South Korea. Defender Jaroslav Zeleny admitted: "Against South Africa, we have to get it right. Mexico will be an even tougher challenge after that, so we must give everything in the match against South Africa and make sure we win."
South Africa facing criticism
The defeat to Mexico triggered a wave of fierce criticism from fans over individual performances and tactics. Midfielder Thapelo Maseko said: "South Africans are only happy when you win; when you lose, you are the worst. That is the truth. We have big players with big hearts, and if anyone still doubts this team, they should think again."
The pressure is greater as other African teams — Morocco, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Ivory Coast — have all impressed in the group stage.
Prediction and form
Opta's supercomputer gives Czechia a 54.9% chance of winning, South Africa 21.8%, and a draw 23.3%.
Recent form (last five matches, most recent first): Czechia: loss-draw-win-win-win. South Africa: loss-draw-draw-draw-loss.
Before the defeat to South Korea, Czechia had beaten Kosovo and Guatemala in friendlies, won against Denmark and Ireland on penalties in the UEFA qualifying playoffs, and beaten Gibraltar. South Africa have not won in their last five matches: loss to Mexico, draw with Nicaragua, draw with Jamaica, loss to Panama, and a draw before that.
Head-to-head and squad news
This is only the second meeting between the two sides. The first was in December 1997, a 2-2 draw in the group stage of the Confederations Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Czechia have no injuries, but South Africa will be without midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane due to red cards in the match against Mexico.
Projected lineups: Czechia (3-4-2-1): Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Sojka, Zeleny; Provod, Sulc; Schick. South Africa (5-3-2): Williams; Mudau, Sibisi, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha, Adams; Rayners, Foster.
The match kicks off at 12:00 local time (16:00 GMT) in Atlanta and will be broadcast live on local television channels. Full broadcast details are available on FIFA's website.
