South Korea
4-2-3-1 expected XI
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South Korea vs Czechia — FIFA World Cup 2026
South Korea
KOR
VS
Czechia
CZE
June 23, 2026
16:00 ET
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
Capacity: 49,850
South Korea arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 11 previous appearances, their best result being Semi-finals (2002). Czechia have 1 appearance on football's biggest stage, with a best finish of Group stage (2006 as Czech Republic). Both sides qualified via AFC Group A runners-up and UEFA play-off Path B winners respectively. This is a rare inter-confederation clash: South Korea of Asian Football Confederation against Czechia of Union of European Football Associations. Nations from different confederations meet infrequently outside World Cup tournaments.
Expected Lineups & Formation
Projected starting XIs, tactical shapes, and squad depth for South Korea vs Czechia.
Tactical Formation Diagram
Hover or tap an expected starter to open the full player profile and compare both tactical systems.
South Korea 4-2-3-1 3-5-2 Czechia
1 Kim Seung-gyu 
4 Kim Min-jae 
20 Kwon Kyung-won 
3 Kim Jin-su 
2 Lee Ki-je 
5 Jung Woo-young 
6 Hwang In-beom 
10 Lee Jae-sung 
7 Son Heung-min 
11 Hwang Hee-chan 
9 Cho Gue-sung 
1 Jindřich Staněk 
6 Tomáš Holeš 
5 Ladislav Krejčí 
3 Tomáš Vlček 
2 Vladimír Coufal 
4 David Jurásek 
8 Tomáš Souček 
10 Alex Král 
7 Lukáš Provod 
9 Patrik Schick 
11 Adam Hložek South Korea (4-2-3-1)
Czechia (3-5-2)
South Korea
4-2-3-1 · Coach: Hong Myung-bo · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Czechia
3-5-2 · Coach: Ivan Hašek · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
South Korea vs Czechia — Historic Context & Meeting Record
World Cup pedigree, confederation background, and what this fixture means for both nations.
Czechia and South Korea are level: 1 wins each and 2 draws across 4 senior international meetings.
Historical/predecessor records included for Czechia: Czechoslovakia.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1989 | Korea Cup | Seoul, South Korea | South Korea 0–0 Czechoslovakia |
| 27 May 1998 | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | South Korea 2–2 Czech Republic |
| 15 Aug 2001 | Friendly | Drnovice, Czech Republic | Czech Republic 5–0 South Korea |
| 5 Jun 2016 | Friendly | Prague, Czech Republic | Czech Republic 1–2 South Korea |
South Korea
ConfederationAsian Football Confederation
World Cup Apps11
Best ResultSemi-finals (2002)
QualificationAFC Group A runners-up
Czechia
ConfederationUnion of European Football Associations
World Cup Apps1
Best ResultGroup stage (2006 as Czech Republic)
QualificationUEFA play-off Path B winners
📍 Venue Fact Sheet — Estadio Akron
Opened2010
SurfaceBermuda grass
Capacity49,850
ArchitectVicente Navarro + Populous
WC 2026 Matches4
Notable Events2011 Pan American Games football final
Notable Matches at This Venue
| Year | Competition | Teams | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Pan American Games Final | Mexico vs Argentina | Mexico 1–0 Argentina |
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | 4 matches scheduled | TBC |
Team Form & Recent Outings
How South Korea and Czechia arrive at the World Cup based on their last five competitive fixtures.
South Korea
WWWLL
3W 0D 2L · 5 GF · 5 GA · 3 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
L 0-1
31 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Austria (A)
L 0-4
28 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Ivory Coast (N)
W 1-0
18 Nov 2025 · Friendly · vs Ghana (H)
W 2-0
14 Nov 2025 · Friendly · vs Bolivia (H)
W 2-0
14 Oct 2025 · Friendly · vs Paraguay (H)
Czechia
LWWDD
2W 2D 1L · 12 GF · 6 GA · 2 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
D 2-2
31 Mar 2026 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Denmark (H)
D 2-2
26 Mar 2026 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Republic of Ireland (H)
W 6-0
17 Nov 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Gibraltar (H)
W 1-0
13 Nov 2025 · Friendly · vs San Marino (H)
L 1-2
12 Oct 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Faroe Islands (A)
Key Players to Watch
Six individuals who could decide the outcome of South Korea vs Czechia at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
South Korea
Player to Watch
Cho Gue-sung
76 caps · 1 goals
Most carries into opposition box
Cho Gue-sung has been instrumental in South Korea's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Hwang Ui-jo
63 caps · 33 goals
Set-piece specialist — 8 direct free-kick goals
Hwang Ui-jo is enjoying a career-best season at Nottingham, translating club form into international impact. Hong Myung-bo relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain South Korea's competitive edge.
Jeong Woo-yeong
25 caps · 10 goals
Aerial duel winner — 68% success rate
Jeong Woo-yeong has been instrumental in South Korea's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Czechia
Player to Watch
Patrik Schick
89 caps · 4 goals
Captain — 87 caps of experience
A mainstay of the Czechia national team with over 23 caps, Patrik Schick brings leadership and technical quality. Their movement off the shoulder of the last defender creates constant problems for opposing centre-backs.
Adam Hložek
63 caps · 33 goals
Set-piece specialist — 8 direct free-kick goals
Adam Hložek is enjoying a career-best season at Hoffenheim, translating club form into international impact. Ivan Hašek relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain Czechia's competitive edge.
Mojmír Chytil
89 caps · 4 goals
Captain — 87 caps of experience
A mainstay of the Czechia national team with over 23 caps, Mojmír Chytil brings leadership and technical quality. Their movement off the shoulder of the last defender creates constant problems for opposing centre-backs.
Tactical Analysis
A deep dive into how Hong Myung-bo and Ivan Hašek will set their sides up tactically for this FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage clash.
South Korea — 4-2-3-1
System Overview
A structured block with a double pivot and a roaming playmaker behind the striker.
Attacking Patterns
South Korea's set-piece threat is significant — they scored 12 goals from corners and free-kicks in qualifying.
Defensive Shape
South Korea defends in a compact 4-4-2 low block, funneling play wide where they have aerial dominance.
Czechia — 3-5-2
System Overview
Wing-backs provide width while three centre-backs build from the back against high presses.
Attacking Patterns
South Korea favours quick transitions within 5 seconds of winning possession — a direct counter-attacking style.
Defensive Shape
South Korea defends in a compact 4-4-2 low block, funneling play wide where they have aerial dominance.
Key Tactical Battle to Watch
The decisive tactical battle will be South Korea's three-man defence against Czechia's wing-back system. If Hong Myung-bo can neutralise Czechia's primary creator in central zones, South Korea should control the tempo.
Match Prediction & AI Forecast
Data-driven outlook for South Korea vs Czechia based on squad depth, recent form, and historical head-to-head trends.
AI Forecast
FavouriteEither side (very close)
Confidence52%
Likely Scorelines1-1 · 2-1 · 1-2
Factors for South Korea
- Both sides are evenly matched in FIFA rankings and squad depth
- Tactical familiarity between Hong Myung-bo and Ivan Hašek from previous encounters
Factors for Czechia
- Unpredictable World Cup opening-match nerves for both squads
- VAR and refereeing decisions could heavily influence a tight contest
This forecast is generated by an editorial AI model using squad-depth heuristics and confederation strength indices. It is not a betting tip.
This AI-generated forecast is for entertainment and editorial purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Always gamble responsibly.
Tickets & Pricing
Secure your seat for South Korea vs Czechia at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara on June 23, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Korea vs Czechia
Who is playing in South Korea vs Czechia at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Korea face Czechia on June 23, 2026 at Estadio Akron. The match features South Korea's 4-2-3-1 system under head coach Hong Myung-bo against Czechia's 3-5-2 shape managed by Ivan Hašek.
What time does South Korea vs Czechia kick off?
Kick-off is scheduled for the local match time shown above. Check your local broadcaster for timezone conversion. FIFA recommends arriving at the stadium at least 90 minutes before kick-off.
Where is South Korea vs Czechia being played?
The match takes place at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. The stadium has a capacity of 49,850 spectators.
How to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets for South Korea vs Czechia?
Tickets are available through the official FIFA Ticketing portal at fifa.com/tickets. Categories range from $60 (Category 3) to $450+ (Hospitality). Create a FIFA ID and select your preferred seating tier during the sales phase.
What formation will South Korea and Czechia use?
South Korea typically line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Hong Myung-bo, while Czechia favour a 3-5-2 system with Ivan Hašek. Expected lineups are listed in the team sheets above.
Who are the key players to watch in South Korea vs Czechia?
For South Korea, watch Kim Seung-gyu in attack. For Czechia, Jindřich Staněk leads the line. Both teams rely on experienced midfield engines to control tempo.
What TV channel is broadcasting South Korea vs Czechia?
Broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are held by Fox Sports (USA), TelevisaUnivision (Mexico), TSN (Canada), BBC/ITV (UK), ARD/ZDF (Germany), and beIN Sports (Middle East). Check your local listings for the exact channel in your territory.
Has South Korea ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
South Korea have reached the knockout rounds in multiple tournaments, with their best ever finish being Semi-finals (2002).
Has Czechia ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Czechia have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Group stage (2006 as Czech Republic).
All tickets are sold through the official FIFA Ticketing Portal. Create a FIFA ID to purchase Category 1–3 or Hospitality packages. Prices shown are indicative and subject to demand-based dynamic pricing.