Czech Republic and South Africa face off in a vital clash in World Cup 2026 Group A this evening, with both sides desperate to register their first win of the tournament.
South Africa opened the tournament against Mexico last week in what was a disastrous performance, with Bafana Bafana falling to a 2-0 loss and losing both Yaya Sitole and Themba Zwane to red cards.
The Czech Republic fared better against South Korea, but still fell to a defeat after Oh Hyeon-gyu’s late goal.
And while neither side’s World Cup dream is over after just one game, a defeat this evening would put the losing team in a precarious position with just one match left, and a win could prove vital if either nation is to make the last 32.
Follow all the action from Atlanta below, with kick-off set for 5pm BST:
Group A fixtures
Thursday 11 June, 20:00: Mexico 2-0 South Africa – Mexico City
Friday 12 June, 03:00: Korea Republic 2-1 Czech Republic – Guadalajara
Thursday 18 June, 17:00: Czech Republic vs South Africa – Atlanta
Friday 19 June, 02:00: Mexico vs Korea Republic – Guadalajara
Thursday 25 June, 02:00: Czech Republic vs Mexico – Mexico City
Thursday 25 June, 02:00: South Africa vs Korea Republic – Monterrey
World Cup 2026 – Group A guide: Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora to inspire hosts
Mexico, hosting for a third time, eye return to knockout stages following disappointment in QatarWill Castle18 June 2026 15:45
South Africa ones to watch
Star player – Ronwen Williams, Mamelodi Sundowns: Those who spent a reasonable amount of time watching last summer’s Club World Cup – which, beyond any action on the pitch, served as a a logistical dress rehearsal for what is about to follow – will recognise South Africa’s captain-goalkeeper for being the first penalised for holding on to the ball for more than eight seconds. He is also a dab hand at getting his hands on penalty kicks: in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Cup of Nations he saved just the quartet of spotters from Cape Verde, earning global media attention. The chances of him being required in a shootout come the knockout stages here are slim but without his presence between the posts the group’s outsiders would have an even smaller chance of progress.
Breakout talent – Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Chicago Fire: The centre back, 20, has overcome a tricky adaption period before settling into being one of Major League Soccer’s most dependable defenders this year and he hopes that his experience of playing across North America can assist Bafana Bafana – though two of their fixtures are in Mexico. Nicknamed TLB (Tractor, Loader, Backhoe) in a nod to his physicality on the pitch, Mbokazi may not be the tallest central defender at the tournament, measuring up at 5”10, but he is stocky and fond of playing the ball out from the back. “Our aim is to get a win, and it’s going to call us to be unified as a team and to work together to succeed,” he said, setting the bar slightly higher than Broos.
Czech Republic ones to watch
Star player – Patrick Schick, Bayer Leverkusen: The attack leans upon the 30-year-old, who is averaging a little under a goal every two caps and is destined to be remembered for that long-range striker against Scotland at Euro 2020. Tomas Chory, of Slavia Prague, looked way off it when leading the line against Ireland in March, while Schick operated slightly behind, and it would be a surprise if Koubek persists with that system here. Schick managed 16 Bundesliga goals as Leverkusen faded down to sixth – a still creditable return.
Breakout talent – Ladislav Krejci, Wolves: When a squad is this packed with old hands, it is impossible to name a breakout star in its strictest meaning but Krejci, one of the bright spots for relegated Wolves, is one whose stock beyond the Black Country could rise considerably. Captain when Soucek was demoted in March, he was vital to the resurgence against Ireland and performs with an all-action style that is easy to get behind. His loan from Girona is expected to be made permanent by Wolves at the time of writing, despite their slip to the Championship, but he could prove that he is deserving of a top-tier place with a decent showing over the next couple of weeks.
Broos wants Zwane ban overturned
South Africa coach Hugo Broos wants to appeal midfielder Themba Zwane’s three-match ban for a red card at the World Cup, citing Lionel Messi in his reasoning.
Zwane was given one of the three red cards in the opening game of the World Cup on Thursday, when Mexico beat South Africa 2-0.
Speaking on Wednesday, Broos noted Messi avoided punishment for what appeared to be a foul in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday as evidence of what he believes was an unfair sanction by the Fifa disciplinary committee.
Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute in Mexico City for hitting Roberto Alvarado in the face. Standard punishment is a one-match suspension, but Fifa said Wednesday it had increased the sanction because it was deemed serious foul play.
The suspension means Zwane would not be able to play again until the round of 16 if South Africa advance that far.
“I think the, the red card, is too severe. I saw back the situation where Themba got the red card. I don’t think it was a red card,” Broos said. “When I see what happened yesterday with Messi, then I don’t agree.”
Ivory Coast star becomes second World Cup player denied entry to Canada
The big story of today.
Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi has been denied entry into Canada for his country’s next World Cup match – a day after it was revealed that the 23-year-old had been arrested over match-fixing offences.
The Ivorian forward Wahi is the subject of an “active investigation” from the French police to establish whether he deliberately earned a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz in Ligue 1 on 17 May.
A report in The Athletic detailed that Wahi, who started Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on Sunday night, was subsequently arrested by French police on 29 May and was released after an interview.
Ivory Coast star becomes second World Cup player denied entry to Canada
The latest news comes after Ghana’s Thomas Partey was not allowed in Canada for their win against PanamaWill Castle18 June 2026 15:25
Can Czech Republic turn their World Cup around?
Czech Republic will have taken far more positives out of their opener against South Korea, even though it ended in defeat.
They took the lead in that game through Ladislav Krejci, only to have the game turned on its head in the space of 13 minutes.
If they find themselves in a winning position today, they must keep hold of it – failure to do so and their World Cup will be all but over.
South Africa’s opening nightmare
In the cauldron of the Azteca, South Africa were welcomed back to the World Cup stage in a baptism of fire.
They were roundly dominated by hosts Mexico, with the scoreline of 2-0 flattering them in the end.
But it was the two red cards that really highlighted the South African capitulation, one of which was given to Yaya Sithole who put in perhaps one of the worst World Cup performances in modern memory.
A lot to forget going into tonight.
Tough times never last…
Things did not go to plan for either of today’s teams in round one of the group stage, both failing to get any points on the board.
One of these teams could be all but condemned to elimination tonight, while the other could see their campaign rejuvenation completely rejuvenated.
When is Czech Republic vs South Africa
Czech Republic’s clash with South Africa kicks off at 5pm BST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. An early one!
How can I watch it?
It will be broadcast live on BBC One with coverage starting at 4:30pm BST.
Czech Republic vs South Africa LIVE!
Czech Republic and South Africa face off in a vital clash in World Cup 2026 Group A this evening, with both sides desperate to register their first win of the tournament.
South Africa opened the tournament against Mexico last week in what was a disastrous performance, with Bafana Bafana falling to a 2-0 loss and losing both Yaya Sitole and Themba Zwane to red cards.
The Czech Republic fared better against South Korea, but still fell to a defeat after Oh Hyeon-gyu’s late goal.
And while neither side’s World Cup dream is over after just one game, a defeat this evening would put the losing team in a precarious position with just one match left, and a win could prove vital if either nation is to make the last 32.
Will Castle18 June 2026 15:00NewerOlder