Czech Republic vs South Africa Prediction. Czech Republic and South Africa meet in a must-not-lose Group A fixture at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta on Thursday, 18 June 2026 (18:00 SAST (Thursday, 18 June 2026)). Both sides lost their openers. South Africa face this match without two suspended players after their red-card-marred defeat to Mexico. Our prediction: Czech Republic to win. Full analysis, team news and markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group A, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Thursday, 18 June 2026 at 18:00 SAST (Thursday, 18 June 2026) |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Group A standings | After Match Day 1: Mexico & South Korea on 3 pts; Czech Republic & South Africa on 0 pts |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Both sides on the brink after Match Day 1
Czech Republic opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat to South Korea. Ladislav Krejčí scored their only goal in that match and will be key again here. It was only the third time in their history that Czech Republic have lost a World Cup opener — the previous occasions were 1954 and 1970.
South Africa’s opener against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium was defined by controversy. The match was the first opening game in World Cup history to feature three red cards. Crucially, Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were both dismissed for Bafana Bafana — they are suspended for this match and are likely to miss the remainder of the tournament. The 2-0 defeat to Mexico leaves Hugo Broos’ side at the bottom of Group A and needing an immediate response. Another loss would effectively end their World Cup.
For context and motivation, South Africa can look to their own World Cup history. When they hosted the 2010 tournament, they famously beat France 2-1 in the group stage. A repeat upset against a European side here would transform the group picture entirely.
The winner of this match climbs to third in Group A and keeps their knockout round hopes alive. A draw leaves both sides in a precarious position heading into their third fixtures.
Team news and expected line-ups
Czech Republic are expected to name an unchanged side from the South Korea defeat. Krejčí continues in defence and on set pieces. Vladimír Coufál and Tomáš Souček retain their midfield roles. Patrik Schick leads the attack.
South Africa are forced into changes. Sithole and Zwane are suspended. Lyle Foster, who struggled against Mexico, is expected to drop to the bench. Evidence Makgopa comes into the starting XI. Aubrey Modiba and Jayden Adams, both substitutes against Mexico, are both expected to start.
Line-ups below are expected XIs. Update once confirmed XIs are released before kick-off. URGENT: confirm suspension details for Sithole and Zwane.
| Czech Republic (4-2-3-1) | South Africa (4-4-2) |
| Vaclik (GK) | Williams (GK) |
| Coufal (RB) | Mudau (RB) |
| Krejci (CB) | Mothobi (CB) |
| Brabec (CB) | Ngcobo (CB) |
| Boril (LB) | Modiba (LB) |
| Soucek (DM) | Smit (DM) |
| Sadilek (DM) | Adams (DM) |
| Barak (RM) | Ndlondlo (RM) |
| Hlozek (AM) | Tau (AM) |
| Chaloupek (LM) | Dolly (LM) |
| Schick (ST) | Makgopa (ST) |
Suspensions and availability
| Player | Status |
| Yaya Sithole (South Africa) | SUSPENDED — red card vs Mexico, Match Day 1 |
| Themba Zwane (South Africa) | SUSPENDED — red card vs Mexico, Match Day 1 |
| Lyle Foster (South Africa) | Expected to drop to bench after poor performance vs Mexico |
Key stats
- Czech Republic: lost 2-1 to South Korea in their Group A opener. Six-game winning run before the tournament ended.
- Czech Republic: scored in 9 consecutive matches before this tournament — expected to continue.
- Czech Republic: have lost their World Cup opener only twice before (1954, 1970).
- Ladislav Krejčí (Czech Republic): scored the opener’s only goal vs South Korea.
- Patrick Schick (Czech Republic): leads the attack.
- South Africa: lost 2-0 to Mexico (co-hosts) in their Group A opener at the Azteca Stadium.
- South Africa: first World Cup opening game in history to feature three red cards.
- Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane: both SUSPENDED after red cards vs Mexico.
- South Africa: winless run extended to six matches after Mexico defeat. Scored just 1 goal in last 3.
- South Africa 2010 World Cup: beat France 2-1 in group stage on home soil.
- H2H: South Africa 2-2 Czech Republic (13 December 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup). Only previous meeting.
- Group A: Mexico (3pts), South Korea (3pts), Czech Republic (0pts), South Africa (0pts) after Match Day 1.
Head-to-head
Czech Republic and South Africa have met once previously: a 2-2 draw at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. That remains the only encounter between the two nations. This World Cup Group A match is their first competitive meeting since.
| Date | Result |
| 13 December 1997 | South Africa 2–2 Czech Republic (FIFA Confederations Cup) |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC opener) |
| Czech Republic | L W W W W |
| South Africa | L D D L D |
Our prediction
Czech Republic are the stronger side on current form and have the more complete squad available for this fixture. Their six-game winning streak before the South Korea defeat demonstrated consistent quality, and their ability to score in nine consecutive matches suggests they will create chances against a depleted Bafana Bafana.
South Africa face this match in significant difficulty. The double suspension of Sithole and Zwane forces Broos into changes he had not planned, and the team’s confidence will have been dented by the manner of the Mexico defeat. Their winless run of six games and a single goal across three matches is a deeply concerning backdrop for a knockout-stage decider.
The motivation to avoid elimination is equal on both sides, but Czech Republic have the quality advantage and the more stable team selection to make it count.
Our prediction: Czech Republic to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 1800hrs UTC on 18/06/26 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Czech Republic vs South Africa event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
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What time does Czech Republic vs South Africa kick off?
Kick-off is at 18:00 SAST (Thursday, 18 June 2026) on Thursday, 18 June 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
What happened in South Africa’s first match at World Cup 2026?
South Africa lost 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on 11 June 2026 in their Group A opener. The match featured three red cards — the first time the opening game of any World Cup has ended with three dismissals. Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off for Bafana Bafana and are suspended for this fixture.
What happened in Czech Republic’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Czech Republic lost 2-1 to South Korea in their Group A opener. Ladislav Krejčí scored their only goal. It was only the third time in Czech football history that the nation has lost a World Cup opener.
What is the Czech Republic vs South Africa head-to-head record?
The sides have met once — a 2-2 draw at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. This is their first competitive meeting since that fixture.
Can South Africa still qualify from Group A?
Yes. A win here would move South Africa to three points and keep their knockout round hopes alive heading into the final group match. A defeat would effectively end their tournament.
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