South Korea vs Czechia: World Cup Group A Clash Set for Estadio Guadalajara South Korea, Asia’s most successful team at the FIFA World Cup, will open their 2026 campaign with a high-stakes Group A match against Czechia at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico. The game, scheduled for Thursday at 8pm local time (02:00 GMT Friday), marks the second match of the tournament’s opening day. The encounter pits the 25th-ranked South Koreans against the 40th-ranked Czechia, a team making a return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence. Both nations aim to secure a strong start in a competitive group that also includes cohosts Mexico and South Africa. South Korea, led by star forward Son Heung-min, enters the tournament as favorites. The team, which reached the last 16 in 2022, boasts a squad featuring key players like Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, and the 33-year-old Son, who now plays for Los Angeles FC. Son, set for his fourth World Cup appearance, remains a focal point for the team, with fans hoping he can replicate his recent friendly performance where he scored twice. His captaincy and leadership will be critical as South Korea seeks to build momentum in a group that includes formidable opponents. Czechia, meanwhile, are determined to make an impact despite their lower ranking. The team, which finished as runners-up in 1934 and 1962 as Czechoslovakia, has not advanced past the group stage in previous World Cup appearances. Their return to the tournament after a 20-year hiatus is fueled by a dramatic qualifying campaign, including penalty shootout wins in the UEFA qualifiers. Coach Miroslav Koubek, appointed in December 2025, has revitalized the squad, which now includes players like Adam Hlozek, Patrik Schick, and Pavel Sulc.#south_africa #south_korea #czechia #mexico #estadio_guadalajara
South Korea's Son Heung-Min Reflects on Fourth World Cup Appearance with Childlike Excitement South Korea captain Son Heung-Min, set to make his fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, expressed a sense of wonder and excitement as his team prepares to face Czechia in their Group A opener at Estadio Guadalajara. Despite his age and extensive experience—144 caps, the most for his nation, and a decade of leading South Korea—he described the World Cup as a stage where he feels "like a young boy again." Son, 33, emphasized that his mindset remains unchanged regardless of the number of World Cup tournaments he has participated in. "Whether it's my first World Cup or fourth, I feel like a young boy again. This is the stage of dreams," he said during a prematch news conference. He acknowledged the lessons learned from past tournaments, including the 2022 campaign where South Korea narrowly advanced to the round of 16 after a dramatic 91st-minute goal against Portugal, assisted by Son himself. "We showed a lot of strength but also had losses and failures. Those are lessons we’ve carried forward," he added. South Korea’s World Cup history, however, is marked by struggles in their opening matches. The team has failed to win their first game in three consecutive tournaments, creating early challenges. In 2014 and 2018, they were eliminated in the group stage, while their 2022 campaign saw a last-gasp victory over Portugal as their sole win. Son downplayed the significance of overcoming this trend, insisting the team must focus on the present. "Today is the most important day for me. I need to develop myself. Tomorrow, we will do our best," he said, highlighting his philosophy of taking each day at a time. Son also praised his teammates, noting the intensity of their preparation.#south_korea #czechia #son_heung_min #hong_myung_bo #estadio_guadalajara
