As the 2026 World Cup unfolds, Czechia enters the tournament with a wealth of experience. David Čermák, known for his insights into penalty shootout tactics, emphasizes the significance of seasoned players in their lineup.
The spine of the team is experienced. Tomáš Souček remains the leader in midfield despite being stripped of the captaincy after the players failed to thank the fans after a 6-0 win against Gibraltar…
Ladislav Krejčí, the tough Wolves centre-back, has taken on the captaincy role and has made a notable impact by scoring in both playoff matches, propelling the team forward. Forward Patrik Schick is expected to be a key player again, with his fitness improving towards the end of the 2025-26 season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Turning to South Korea, there’s much to ponder. Seo Hyung-wook provides a thorough examination of the situation, though it lacks optimism.
Key figures such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom are all battling a cocktail of injuries, erratic club form and even being relegated to the bench.
The midfield presents a particularly troubling scenario, with numerous injuries sidelining several candidates. Additionally, Hwang has struggled to regain his form after facing recurring physical issues throughout the season.
Czechia will adopt a 3-4-3 formation, featuring Alexandr Sojka making his competitive debut alongside the experienced Tomáš Souček in midfield. Sojka earned his first call-up just prior to the pre-tournament friendlies.
Starting lineup: 1 Matěj Kovář; 6 Štěpán Chaloupek, 4 Robin Hranáč, 7 Ladislav Krejčí; 5 Vladimir Coufal, 22 Tomáš Souček, 24 Alexandr Sojka, 20 Jaroslav Zelený; 17 Lukáš Provod, 15 Pavel Šulc, 10 Patrik Schick.
The Taeguk Warriors are also set to line up in a 3-4-3 formation, led by their captain and primary goalscorer Son Heung-min.
Starting lineup: 1 Kim Seung-gyu, 3 Lee Gi-hyuk, 4 Kim Min-jae, 2 Lee Han-beom, 22 Seol Young-woo, 6 Hwang In-beom, 8 Paik Seung-ho, 13 Lee Tae-seok, 19 Lee Kang-in, 10 Lee Jae-sung, 7 Son Heung-min.
As the tournament progresses, many insightful articles are expected, but few may match the incisive critique of Gianni Infantino by Jonathan Liew.
Perhaps you still regard sporting spectacle as your cherished escape from politics. In which case enjoy your World Cup of games split into four quarters, decimated by heat and exhaustion, compromised by an unfair qualification process.
As the tournament unfolds, fans will witness largely meaningless group stages, empty seats, and police presence looming just off-camera.
In an intriguing opener in Mexico City, the match revealed much about what to expect for the rest of the tournament.
Even in relatively temperate conditions, and with few stoppages in play, the World Cup’s opening game still felt like a slog, which is likely to have set the tone for the tournament.
With FIFA’s mandatory hydration breaks implemented, even with temperatures at a mild 22 degrees, the Brazilian referee, Wilton Sampaio, delayed the half-time whistle until 55 minutes after kick-off, despite only four minutes of added time being played. This trend suggests that matches could exceed two hours, with many stoppages likely extending play in hot conditions.
Welcome to the live coverage of the second match of the 2026 World Cup, featuring South Korea versus Czechia. This Group A encounter kicks off at Estadio Guadalajara at 8 PM local time (10 PM EST / 3 AM BST / 12 PM AEST).
With Shakira’s vibrant performance and a host of red cards in the opening match, the second game promises to be less dramatic, featuring two teams entering the tournament with modest expectations during this less-favorable time slot at the competition’s second smallest venue.
South Korea boasts a rich history in World Cup play but comes into this tournament with shaken confidence following heavy defeats in friendly matches. This marks their 12th appearance at the finals, a record for Asia, and their 11th consecutive tournament, one of the best active streaks. They have managed to win at least one match in five of the last six tournaments and advanced past the group stage three times, including in Qatar. However, a 5-0 loss to Brazil last year and a 4-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in March have dampened their ambitions.
Son Heung-min remains a critical figure, but at nearly 34, he is not the same explosive player he once was and has yet to score in this MLS season. Other notable players include Lee Kang-in from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae, both of whom regularly start in domestic leagues but have found themselves on the bench in the Champions League.
Czechia is making its return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, marking only their second appearance since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Their qualification came through a series of closely contested playoff penalty shootouts.
Patrik Schick stands out as a key player, with the Bayer Leverkusen striker averaging a goal every other game for his national team. Tomáš Souček plays a significant role in midfield, while Vladimír Coufal is crucial on the right side of defense, both well-known to West Ham United fans.
At 74 years old, Miroslav Koubek will be the oldest coach in World Cup history tonight, although he will soon be overtaken by 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, who will take charge of Curaçao.
Stay tuned for team news and further previews coming soon. Feel free to join the conversation at jonathan.howcroft.freelance@.
