Czech Republic and South Africa face off in a vital clash in World Cup 2026 Group A this evening, with both sides desperate to register their first win of the tournament.
South Africa opened the tournament against Mexico last week in what was a disastrous performance, with Bafana Bafana falling to a 2-0 loss and losing both Yaya Sitole and Themba Zwane to red cards.
The Czech Republic fared better against South Korea, but still fell to a defeat after Oh Hyeon-gyu’s late goal.
And while neither side’s World Cup dream is over after just one game, a defeat this evening would put the losing team in a precarious position with just one match left, and a win could prove vital if either nation is to make the last 32.
Follow all the action from Atlanta below, with kick-off set for 5pm BST:
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Czech Republic v South Africa LIVE
- Czech Republic and South Africa face off in Group A in Atlanta | Live on BBC
- Czech Republic narrowly lost to South Korea in their opener
- South Africa fell to disastrous 2-0 defeat in the tournament opener a week ago
- Czech Republic XI: Kovar; Hranac, Holes, Krejci; Coufal, Sadilek, Darida, Cerv, Sojka; Hlozek, Schick.
- South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbozaki, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha, Adams; Maseko, Rayners, Appollis.
Czech Republic 0-0 South Africa
17:05 , Chris Wilson4 mins
South Africa clear the first corner of the game and get their foot on the ball for the first time, but their possession ends with a mis-placed pass.
At the other end, the Czech Republic win a free-kick 35 yards out, with Adams clearing the cross at the expense of a corner.
Czech Republic 0-0 South Africa
17:02 , Chris Wilson1 min
CLOSE! Plenty of early intent from the Czechs and they should really score within a minute here!
They spread it wide and a cross finds Schick completely unmarked at the back post, but he can only direct a weak header wide under barely any pressure!
He knows that was a big chance.
KICK-OFF! Czech Republic 0-0 South Africa
17:00 , Chris WilsonTears from some of the players as the anthems are sung. They know how much this means and how important this game could be,
The referee gets us underway in Atlanta!
Czech Republic v South Africa LIVE
16:55 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are out of the tunnel at the Atlanta Stadium, so we’ll be underway soon here once we’ve had the national anthems.
Czech Republic v South Africa LIVE
16:50 , Chris Wilson
Czech Republic v South Africa LIVE
16:45 , Chris WilsonJust 15 minutes until kick-off in Atlanta, in what is a huge game for both sides.
Neither side’s World Cup dream would be over if they were to lose, but it would mean they would have to win their final game and hope that three points and their goal difference is enough to carry them through as one of the third-placed teams.
If one team can grab a win, it means they could probably rely on a draw to carry them through in the final game of the group stages.
South Africa preview
16:40 , Chris WilsonBack on the biggest stage for the first time since hosting in 2010, will there be a moment to rival “Goal, Bafana, Bafana” in a repeat of that opening fixture 16 years ago? Probably not.
They entered last winter’s Africa Cup of Nations with high hopes of a deep run only for Cameroon to win a round of 16 meeting 2-1, while their qualification for this tournament appeared in some jeopardy after being docked three points after midfielder Teboho Mokoena mistakenly played in a qualifier versus Lesotho despite being suspended because of an accumulation of yellow cards..
Lyle Foster, the Burnley forward, may be the only recognisable name for fans watching on from the UK but their big strength will be familiarity. Eight of the squad are clubmates for Mamelodi Sundowns, the dominant domestic team who had won eight of the previous titles before Orlando Pirates pipped them by a point this season. There are eight Pirates in the squad too.
That camaraderie will be key if they are to cause a surprise, though head coach Hugo Broos, a 74-year-old veteran, is hardly spelling out grand expectations. “We’re going to do our best but I don’t think anyone will blame us if we don’t make it out of the group,” he said recently.
Czech Republic preview
16:35 , Chris WilsonThey entered the play-offs in supposed shambles but arrive at the World Cup with a newly-acquired sense of fortitude. Miroslav Koubek, 74, was installed as head coach following a dire group campaign that ended with Tomas Soucek stripped of the captaincy because of a row with fans. They started awfully against Ireland in their semi-final, too, only to be gifted a penalty when two goals down, eventually progressing to a final with Denmark via penalties.
The Danes dominated that encounter, peppering the Czech goal in a game that again ended with a shootout. Again, they were flawless from the spot and from an unlikely position seem to have developed a bloody-mindedness that overwrites the absence of coherent, attacking football.
This is a squad packed with familiar names; mostly because they have been around for so long. Having qualified for all eight European Championships since the break up of Czechoslovakia, this is just a second World Cup appearance and their 2006 tournament ended in the group stage. Making it to a maiden knockout tie would be progress for a team whose presence appeared doubtful more than once.
Line-ups
16:32 , Chris WilsonSouth Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbozaki, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha, Adams; Maseko, Rayners, Appollis.
Line-ups
16:30 , Chris WisonCzech Republic XI: Kovar; Hranac, Holes, Krejci; Coufal, Sadilek, Darida, Cerv, Sojka; Hlozek, Schick.
Players arrive in Atlanta
16:25 , Chris WilsonBoth sets of players have arrived at the Atlanta Stadium as preparations are well underway...
Group A fixtures
16:20 , Chris WilsonAnd with that in mind, here are the remaining fixtures in Group A as hosts Mexico look to secure top spot:
Thursday 18 June, 17:00: Czech Republic vs South Africa – Atlanta
Friday 19 June, 02:00: Mexico vs Korea Republic – Guadalajara
Thursday 25 June, 02:00: Czech Republic vs Mexico – Mexico City
Thursday 25 June, 02:00: South Africa vs Korea Republic – Monterrey
Group A results
16:15 , Chris WilsonAs we prepare for the second round of Group A fixtures, here’s a reminder of how the first games went:
Thursday 11 June, 20:00: Mexico 2-0 South Africa – Mexico City
Friday 12 June, 03:00: Korea Republic 2-1 Czech Republic – Guadalajara
POLL: Is Ronaldo holding Portugal back?
16:10 , Will Castle10 men and a statue: Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
16:05 , Richard JollyAnything Lionel Messi could do, Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't do better. A day after the Argentinian began his World Cup in a manner to suggest his talent is timeless, his great rival started in a way to show his powers have waned with the passing of time.
Messi’s treble against Algeria gives him 16 World Cup goals, double Ronaldo’s tally. More pertinently, it justified Argentina’s policy of building a team around an ageing legend. For the third tournament in row, however, the danger is that Ronaldo holds Portugal back. A draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo highlighted the difficulties of trying to win the World Cup with a team of 10 men and a statue. For one of the favourites, it was a wretched start.
Houston, they had a problem. Or he was the problem. Ronaldo’s impotence condemned Portugal to a draw which, in turn, could mean there is no last reunion with Messi in the quarter-finals in Kansas City: fail to win the group and they will have to plot a different path altogether. As Ronaldo appeared in a sixth World Cup, he remains yet to become the first player to score in six. He did not get particularly close.
Richard Jolly gives his take on question marks surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo:
Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
Win a copy of Miguel Delaney’s States of Play with his Inside Football newsletter
16:00 , Will CastleIf you’ve ever wondered who really owns and controls football, now’s your chance to find out.
Miguel Delaney, The Independent’s chief football writer, takes readers inside the game in the latest paperback edition of States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football.
To celebrate the World Cup, The Independent is giving away 10 copies of the paperback edition.
This competition is open exclusively to members of the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter. To enter, simply join HERE before 12pm on 1 July.Miguel’s weekly newsletter includes:
- An agenda-setting column, diving into the real story behind a big football theme
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Win a copy of Miguel Delaney’s States of Play with his Inside Football newsletter
World Cup 2026 power rankings
15:55 , Will CastleWhere do Czech Republic and South Africa sit in our World Cup power rankings after round one of the group stage? Spoiler: it’s not in the top 10.
See how every team stacks up, as we delve deeper into those who made an early statement:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: England and France make statements after round one
England have a new exciting way under Thomas Tuchel but two problems remain
15:50 , Miguel Delaney in DallasIt wasn’t just the performance that England had waited years for, it was an attitude.
“Even if we lose,” Thomas Tuchel told his players at half-time in Dallas, “we do it our way.”
There is so much in those few words that could yet have resulted in so much more than the four brilliant goals they got against Croatia.
There was a new ethos, and the fulfilment of a promise. Tuchel had long said he wanted to restore a proper Premier League intensity to the national side, and here it was, offering one of the best performances in the World Cup so far.
Miguel Delaney reports from Dallas after last night’s England opener:
England have a new exciting way under Thomas Tuchel but two problems remain
Group A fixtures
15:45 , Will CastleThursday 11 June, 20:00: Mexico 2-0 South Africa – Mexico City
Friday 12 June, 03:00: Korea Republic 2-1 Czech Republic – Guadalajara
Thursday 18 June, 17:00: Czech Republic vs South Africa – Atlanta
Friday 19 June, 02:00: Mexico vs Korea Republic – Guadalajara
Thursday 25 June, 02:00: Czech Republic vs Mexico – Mexico City
Thursday 25 June, 02:00: South Africa vs Korea Republic – Monterrey
World Cup 2026 – Group A guide: Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora to inspire hosts
South Africa ones to watch
15:40 , Will CastleStar player – Ronwen Williams, Mamelodi Sundowns: Those who spent a reasonable amount of time watching last summer’s Club World Cup - which, beyond any action on the pitch, served as a a logistical dress rehearsal for what is about to follow - will recognise South Africa’s captain-goalkeeper for being the first penalised for holding on to the ball for more than eight seconds. He is also a dab hand at getting his hands on penalty kicks: in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Cup of Nations he saved just the quartet of spotters from Cape Verde, earning global media attention. The chances of him being required in a shootout come the knockout stages here are slim but without his presence between the posts the group’s outsiders would have an even smaller chance of progress.
Breakout talent – Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Chicago Fire: The centre back, 20, has overcome a tricky adaption period before settling into being one of Major League Soccer’s most dependable defenders this year and he hopes that his experience of playing across North America can assist Bafana Bafana - though two of their fixtures are in Mexico. Nicknamed TLB (Tractor, Loader, Backhoe) in a nod to his physicality on the pitch, Mbokazi may not be the tallest central defender at the tournament, measuring up at 5”10, but he is stocky and fond of playing the ball out from the back. "Our aim is to get a win, and it’s going to call us to be unified as a team and to work together to succeed,” he said, setting the bar slightly higher than Broos.
Czech Republic ones to watch
15:35 , Will CastleStar player – Patrick Schick, Bayer Leverkusen: The attack leans upon the 30-year-old, who is averaging a little under a goal every two caps and is destined to be remembered for that long-range striker against Scotland at Euro 2020. Tomas Chory, of Slavia Prague, looked way off it when leading the line against Ireland in March, while Schick operated slightly behind, and it would be a surprise if Koubek persists with that system here. Schick managed 16 Bundesliga goals as Leverkusen faded down to sixth - a still creditable return.
Breakout talent – Ladislav Krejci, Wolves: When a squad is this packed with old hands, it is impossible to name a breakout star in its strictest meaning but Krejci, one of the bright spots for relegated Wolves, is one whose stock beyond the Black Country could rise considerably. Captain when Soucek was demoted in March, he was vital to the resurgence against Ireland and performs with an all-action style that is easy to get behind. His loan from Girona is expected to be made permanent by Wolves at the time of writing, despite their slip to the Championship, but he could prove that he is deserving of a top-tier place with a decent showing over the next couple of weeks.
Broos wants Zwane ban overturned
15:30 , Will CastleSouth Africa coach Hugo Broos wants to appeal midfielder Themba Zwane's three-match ban for a red card at the World Cup, citing Lionel Messi in his reasoning.
Zwane was given one of the three red cards in the opening game of the World Cup on Thursday, when Mexico beat South Africa 2-0.
Speaking on Wednesday, Broos noted Messi avoided punishment for what appeared to be a foul in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday as evidence of what he believes was an unfair sanction by the Fifa disciplinary committee.
Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute in Mexico City for hitting Roberto Alvarado in the face. Standard punishment is a one-match suspension, but Fifa said Wednesday it had increased the sanction because it was deemed serious foul play.
The suspension means Zwane would not be able to play again until the round of 16 if South Africa advance that far.
“I think the, the red card, is too severe. I saw back the situation where Themba got the red card. I don’t think it was a red card,” Broos said. "When I see what happened yesterday with Messi, then I don’t agree."
Ivory Coast star becomes second World Cup player denied entry to Canada
15:25 , Will CastleThe big story of today.
Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi has been denied entry into Canada for his country’s next World Cup match – a day after it was revealed that the 23-year-old had been arrested over match-fixing offences.
The Ivorian forward Wahi is the subject of an “active investigation” from the French police to establish whether he deliberately earned a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz in Ligue 1 on 17 May.
A report in The Athletic detailed that Wahi, who started Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on Sunday night, was subsequently arrested by French police on 29 May and was released after an interview.
Ivory Coast star becomes second World Cup player denied entry to Canada
Can Czech Republic turn their World Cup around?
15:20 , Will CastleCzech Republic will have taken far more positives out of their opener against South Korea, even though it ended in defeat.
They took the lead in that game through Ladislav Krejci, only to have the game turned on its head in the space of 13 minutes.
If they find themselves in a winning position today, they must keep hold of it - failure to do so and their World Cup will be all but over.
South Africa's opening nightmare
15:15 , Will CastleIn the cauldron of the Azteca, South Africa were welcomed back to the World Cup stage in a baptism of fire.
They were roundly dominated by hosts Mexico, with the scoreline of 2-0 flattering them in the end.
But it was the two red cards that really highlighted the South African capitulation, one of which was given to Yaya Sithole who put in perhaps one of the worst World Cup performances in modern memory.
A lot to forget going into tonight.
Tough times never last...
15:10 , Will CastleThings did not go to plan for either of today’s teams in round one of the group stage, both failing to get any points on the board.
One of these teams could be all but condemned to elimination tonight, while the other could see their campaign rejuvenation completely rejuvenated.
When is Czech Republic vs South Africa
15:05 , Will CastleCzech Republic’s clash with South Africa kicks off at 5pm BST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. An early one!
How can I watch it?
It will be broadcast live on BBC One with coverage starting at 4:30pm BST.
Czech Republic vs South Africa LIVE!
15:00 , Will CastleCzech Republic and South Africa face off in a vital clash in World Cup 2026 Group A this evening, with both sides desperate to register their first win of the tournament.
South Africa opened the tournament against Mexico last week in what was a disastrous performance, with Bafana Bafana falling to a 2-0 loss and losing both Yaya Sitole and Themba Zwane to red cards.
The Czech Republic fared better against South Korea, but still fell to a defeat after Oh Hyeon-gyu’s late goal.
And while neither side’s World Cup dream is over after just one game, a defeat this evening would put the losing team in a precarious position with just one match left, and a win could prove vital if either nation is to make the last 32.
Good afternoon
14:50 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Group A clash between Czech Republic and South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
Stay tuned for all the latest team news, build-up and match action!
