Czechia, South Africa in do-or-die clash
Czechia and South Africa will meet in a do-or-die 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A clash set for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on the evening of 18 June.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.
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Form
South Africa’s World Cup couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start, as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener in Mexico City on 11 June.
Not only did Hugo Broos’s side suffer a defeat, which compromised their ability to advance beyond the group stage for the first time, they also had two players sent off. Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane both picked up straight red cards against El Tri, ruling them out of this clash due to suspension.
Bafana Bafana have gone six games without a victory. Their last win was against Zimbabwe in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Czechia find themselves in the same position as SA – albeit without the suspension worries – after they succumbed 2-1 at the hands of South Korea in their opening clash in Guadalajara a few hours after the clash between Bafana and Mexico.
Repre (the Representatives) looked potent from set pieces, but lacked mobility in midfield and were vulnerable to attacks down their flanks – a weakness South Korea exposed multiple times.
Both Czechia and South Africa find themselves in need of a win to rekindle their hopes of advancing into the next round, making this effectively a do-or-die clash.
What the teams are saying
Czechia coach Miroslav Koubek:
“We really made some mistakes but also made opportunities. Our opponent was very fast. The better team won. We had to fight and we did. Now we need to move on. We need to be more attacking and creative in the last 30 metres. In the attack we have room for improvement."
South Africa coach Hugo Broos
"It's not nice for both players to get a red card in the first game of the World Cup. Now we have two players who cannot play the next game. But, we still have a lot of players, so if we show the same mentality and play the same way as [against Mexico], I'm sure we will have great results in the next two games."
Players to watch
Czechia – Ladislav Krejci
The Wolverhampton Wanderers defender demonstrated Czechia’s potency from set pieces when he scored the opening goal against South Korea. The 27-year-old will be tasked with keeping track of South Africa’s forward runners, as well as offering an aerial threat in the other direction.
South Africa – Jayden Adams
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was one of the few players who put in a notable showing against Mexico, with his mobility and energy catching the eye. Adams will look to make another strong impression against Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday evening.
Head-to-head
South Africa and Czechia have met in just one previous match: a 2-2 draw in the group stage of the 1997 Confederations Cup, held in December at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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