World Cup

South Korea vs Czechia World Cup 2026 prediction

South Korea face Czechia in the second game of the 2026 World Cup. Annoyling for fans in the United Kingdom like myself, this is a 2am kickoff – three hours after the opening game kicks off.

For those staying up to watch I can see this having a few goals.

South Korea are the most successful Asian nation in World Cup history, having qualified a record 12 times for that continent, and have also gone the furthest, when they controversially reached the semi-finals in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament with Japan.

Hong myung-bo, who was part of that 2002 squad, is the South Korea manager heading into this tournament. They eased through qualifying, winning their first group with 16 points from a possible 18, scoring 20 goals in their six games, dropping points at home to Thailand. They were 3-0 winners in China. Then they won their second group by 6 points, winning six, drawing four and remaining unbeaten from their 10 games, scoring 20 and conceding only seven. This group including Jordan and Iraq, who also qualified for this summer’s World Cup.

South Korea’s side includes Tottenham Hotspur legend Son Heung-min, now 33. Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan. Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach defenders Kim Min-jae and Jens Castrop.

Czechia, Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia, whatever you prefer to call them, qualified via the UEFA playoffs after finishing second to Croatia in their group with 16 points from a possible 24. Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Gibraltar were the other teams. Miroslav Koubek’s side beat both Republic of Ireland and Denmark, both on penalties, in an unconvincing qualification to the tournament.

The European side have Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick up front, as well as 1899 Hoffenheim’s Adam Hložek, although the latter has just 5 goals in 45 caps heading into the summer. West Ham United’s Tomáš Souček, Lyon’s Pavel Šulc, Wolves’ Ladislav Krejč and PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Matěj Kovář in the squad too.

We’ll see two different tactical strategies in this match. South Korea will try to dominant possession and create chances in open play, whilst Czechia may be heavily reliant on set pieces for their goals. I cannot rule out the latter getting on the scoresheet because of that but it also makes it difficult to be confident in a bet. I think there’s value in South Korea because I struggle to see the European team finishing in the top two of the group (but could still progress as a 3rd place team).

Value bet: South Korea to win 5/4 with Bet365
Value bet: Both teams to score 10/11 with Will Hill