South Korea vs Czech Republic 
The pick
Win, draw, and loss probabilities and expected goals are from our team-strength model. The composite averages every source we track for this match — see composite ratings for the full method. Public consensus from 3 sources: Kalshi (prediction market), Squawka, Oddschecker.
Head to head
Expected shapes: South Korea 4-3-3, Czech Republic 3-4-2-1.
Ruled out: KOR — Cho Yu-min
South Korea South Korea Czech RepublicKey players to watch
South Korea Czech Republic South Korea South KoreaProjected XIs
Most-likely starting elevens based on recent selections.
South Korea- 1S Kim
- 2H Lee
- 3M Kim
- 4J Kim
- 5Y Seol
- 6J Kim
- 7S Paik
- 8T Lee
- 9K Lee
- 10J Lee
- 11H Son
Czech Republic- 1M Kovar
- 2V Coufal
- 3M Vitík
- 4L Krejci
- 5J Zeleny
- 6L Cerv
- 7T Soucek
- 8L Provod
- 9P Sulc
- 10V Kusej
- 11T Chory
Storylines
South Korea vs Czech Republic: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats
With Mexico the clear group favorite, this near pick'em opener likely decides who joins El Tri in the knockouts. Son Heung-min (10 goals in qualifying) leads a control-based Korea; Czechia ended a 20-year absence by surviving two playoff penalty shootouts, with in-form Schick their main threat.
World Cup 2026: Group A Predictions and Preview
Opta rates South Korea (70.1% to progress) just ahead of Czechia (64.2%); Korea making an 11th straight World Cup appearance, while 74-year-old Miroslav Koubek's Czechia bring Europe's best qualifying set-piece record (7 goals from corners).
Player ratings are EA Sports FC 26 attributes, used here as a consistent, public proxy for player quality. Squad-level comparisons cover the players we could rate; coverage varies by team.