Czech Republic Begin World Cup 2026 Campaign Against South Korea on Friday
The side coached by Miroslav Koubek will also face South Africa and hosts Mexico in the group stage
Foto: Fotbalová asociace České republiky
After 20 years, the Czech Republic are back on football’s biggest stage. On Friday, Miroslav Koubek’s side begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against South Korea.
The Czech national football team are preparing for their first World Cup appearance in 20 years. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first time, the Czech Republic return to the biggest stage in world football.
The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and, with 48 teams, will be the largest World Cup in history. The teams have been drawn into twelve groups of four. The top two teams from each group, together with the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stage. The tournament opens today at 21:00 CEST with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa.
After 20 years, the Czech Republic returns to the biggest stage in world football
The Czech Republic were drawn in Group A, where they will face South Korea, South Africa and hosts Mexico. The side coached by Miroslav Koubek will play their opening group match against South Korea on Friday, 12 June, in Guadalajara, Mexico. They will then face South Africa in Atlanta before taking on Mexico in Mexico City.
Foto: Fotbalová asociace České republiky
The Czech squad have already travelled to Mexico, where they completed their final preparations ahead of the tournament. Kick-off for the opening match against South Korea is scheduled for 4:00 CEST on Friday.
It will be the first competitive match in history between the Czech Republic and South Korea. Koubek expects a tactically demanding encounter. “The teams are completely different, and each has its own strengths. Above all, it will depend on how successfully we can take those strengths away from our opponents,” the Czech national team coach said ahead of the opening match.
For the Czech Republic, it will be only their second appearance at a World Cup since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. At their only previous participation, in Germany in 2006, they were eliminated in the group stage.
All matches involving the Czech national team at the World Cup can be watched live in the Czech Republic on ČT sport.
Czech Republic World Cup Schedule
12 June 2026, 4:00 CEST: South Korea v Czech Republic (Guadalajara, Mexico)
18 June 2026, 18:00 CEST: Czech Republic v South Africa (Atlanta, USA)
25 June 2026, 3:00 CEST: Czech Republic v Mexico (Mexico City, Mexico)
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