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Son's South Korea Faces Czechia in World Cup Opener
12 Jun
Summary
- South Korea boasts a talented roster with World Cup experience.
- Czechia qualified for the tournament through penalty shootouts.
- Both teams will play their first match in Guadalajara's altitude.

South Korea, featuring LAFC star Son Heung-min, begins its 2026 World Cup campaign against Czechia on June 11 in Zapopan, Jalisco. The Taeguk Warriors are favored due to their more talented roster and World Cup experience, with predictions suggesting a narrow victory for South Korea.
Czechia scraped into the tournament by winning two penalty shootouts during qualification and will be looking to defy expectations. Both teams must contend with the high altitude of the Guadalajara region, a factor South Korea hopes its pre-tournament camp in Utah will help them overcome.
The match is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at Estadio Akron, with broadcast options including FS1 and Telemundo. The 2026 World Cup features an expanded 48-team format, with teams grouped into 12 pools of four.