Czechia vs South Africa — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-654CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · ATLANTA

Czechia

1–1

South Africa

Match events

M. Sadilekassist A. Sojka6'1–0
V. DaridaOn: P. Sulc55'
A. SojkaOn: J. Zeleny55'
A. HlozekOn: L. Provod67'
M. SadilekOn: T. Soucek67'
L. Krejci75'
L. CervOn: D. Zima78'

33'T. Mokoena
40'T. Mbatha
46'J. AdamsOn: R. Mofokeng
66'I. RaynersOn: E. Makgopa
1–183'T. Mokoena (pen)
84'T. MasekoOn: K. Sebelebele

CZEMatch statsRSA

38%Possession62%

14Shots17

3Shots on Target4

5Corners5

12Fouls10

1Yellow Cards2

Czechia — starting XI

3-5-2

Bench

20Jaroslav Zelený
15Pavel Šulc
22Tomáš Souček
17Lukáš Provod
2David Zima
16Jindřich Staněk
23Lukáš Horníček
6Štěpán Chaloupek
21David Douděra
25Hugo Sochurek
26Denis Višinský
11Jan Kuchta
13Mojmír Chytil
19Tomáš Chorý

South Africa — starting XI

4-3-3

Bench

10Relebohile Mofokeng
17Evidence Makgopa
25Kamogelo Sebelebele
16Sipho Chaine
22Ricardo Goss
2Tholo Thabang Matuludi
3Khulumani Ndamane
18Samukelo Kabini
19Nkosinathi Sibisi
24Olwethu Makhanya
26Bradley Cross
8Tshepang Moremi
9Lyle Foster

All-time meetings

Czech Republic wins

Draws

South Africa wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

28.1

Average Age

26.7

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

Czechia

Jun 18

vs South Africa

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

1–1

Jun 12

at South Korea

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Estadio Akron

1–2

Jun 5

vs Guatemala

Friendlies · Friendly International · Sports Illustrated Stadium

3–1

May 31

vs Kosovo

Friendlies · Friendly International · epet ARENA

2–1

Mar 31

vs Denmark

World Cup - Qualification Europe · Final · epet ARENA

1–1

South Africa

Jun 18

at Czechia

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

1–1

Jun 11

at Mexico

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Estadio Azteca

0–2

Jun 6

at Jamaica

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Miguel Hidalgo

1–1

May 29

vs Nicaragua

Friendlies · Friendly International · FNB Stadium

0–0

Mar 31

vs Panama

Friendlies · Friendly International · Cape Town Stadium

1–2

05 · Key Battles

Czechia vs South Africa: Key Battles

A group-stage clash between Central European technical precision and African athleticism.

// Central midfield · The engine room

T. Souček

#22 · West Ham

T. Mokoena

#4 · Mamelodi Sundowns

Souček's physicality and set-piece prowess will test Mokoena's composure in a battle for midfield control. The Czech's Premier League experience should edge this contest, though South Africa's pace could trouble lazy positioning.

// Centre-forward vs Centre-back · The focal point

T. Chorý

#19 · Slavia Praha

S. Ngezana

#21 · FCSB

Chorý's hold-up play and link-up will be crucial against Ngezana's aerial dominance. A test of whether the Slavia striker can create space or if South Africa's defensive leader suffocates possession in the box.

// Left-back vs Right winger · The flank duel

L. Provod

#14 · Slavia Praha

O. Appollis

#7 · Polokwane City

Appollis's pace and directness will exploit Provod if the Czech left-back loses focus, but experience and positioning should allow Provod to shepherd the South African winger away from danger. A battle of intensity versus craft.

06 · Style Clash