Czechia and South Africa Face Elimination Clash at 2026 World Cup

Czechia and South Africa meet in a decisive Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday at Atlanta Stadium, with both teams facing potential early elimination. After losing their opening games, each nation knows that defeat combined with favorable results elsewhere could end their tournament hopes. Czechia fell 2-1 to South Korea despite taking the lead through Ladislav Krejcí, while South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico and will be without suspended players Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane.

According to the Opta supercomputer, Czechia are favored with a 54.9% win probability compared to South Africa's 21.8%, though both teams retain mathematical chances of advancement. Czechia hold a 51.7% chance of reaching the knockout rounds, while South Africa's prospects are slimmer at 23.9%. The match will mark a historic first: both head coaches are over 70 years old, with Czechia's Miroslav Koubek at 74 years and 290 days, and South Africa's Hugo Broos at 74 years and 69 days.

Czechia's strategy will focus on improving their possession game after being limited to just seven shots against South Korea. Striker Tomás Chory emphasized the team's determination, stating: "We're facing something completely different to [when facing] Korea. We definitely want to keep the ball more and be more confident. I think we have what it takes to get into good positions." Should Krejcí score again, he would become only the fourth Czech player to score in the first two World Cup matches.

South Africa struggled significantly in their opening defeat, posting career-low statistics including just three shots and 0.07 expected goals against Mexico. Goalkeeper Ricardo Goss defended coach Broos, noting the team must avoid losing back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time in their history. South Africa are expected to make lineup changes, with Relebohile Mofokeng potentially replacing the suspended Zwane.

Historically, Czechia have only lost their opening two World Cup matches twice before—in 1954 and 1970. Both teams enter the match with their tournament futures hanging in the balance, making this clash crucial for both nations' aspirations.