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Jun 18, 20261
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Czech Republic and South Africa face off in World Cup Group A knockout match
The Czech Republic and South Africa clash in a critical second-round Group A World Cup match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on June 18. Both teams, managed by coaches aged 74, face elimination after opening-round losses, making Thursday's encounter a must-win fixture.
Quick Facts
Who
Czech Republic national team
What
World Cup Group A second-round match
When
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Where
Mercedes-Benz Arena
- World Cup Group A second-round match
- South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico in first round
- Czech Republic lost 2-1 to South Korea in first round
- South Africa forced to change lineup due to Sithole suspension
- Loser faces virtual elimination
The Czech Republic and South Africa meet in a crucial second-round Group A match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, at 1 p.m. Brasília time. Both teams enter the fixture under pressure following defeats in their opening matches, with South Africa losing 2-0 to Mexico and the Czech Republic falling 2-1 to South Korea in a late reversal. The loser faces virtual elimination from the tournament.
The matchup features a historic pairing of the two oldest coaches at the World Cup. Hugo Broos, 74, manages South Africa, while Czech manager Miroslav Koubek is also 74, though slightly younger than his counterpart. Despite their extensive experience, neither coach's tactical acumen proved decisive in the opening round, setting the stage for a desperate encounter.
South Africa will be forced into a lineup change due to midfielder Sithole's suspension, incurred after his red card against Mexico. Thalente Mbatha is expected to take his place, though coach Broos may implement additional alterations to enhance his team's performance. The African squad will field Ronwen Williams in goal, with a defensive line of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Sibisi, and Okon, joined by Mudau, Mokoena, Lira, Adams, and Modiba across the midfield.
The Czech Republic intends to maintain its core lineup from the opening match, as Koubek believes the loss to South Korea was inevitable given the quality of the opposition. The European side will deploy Matej Kovár, Chaloupek, Robin Hranác, and Ladislav Krejcí in defense, with Vladimír Coufal, Tomáš Soucek, Lukáš Provod, Alexandr Sojka, Pavel Šulc, and Jaroslav Zelený providing midfield support behind striker Patrik Schick.
The match will be broadcast live on CazéTV, available at no additional cost on Disney+ in Brazil. American referee Tori Penso will oversee the contest, with Tatiana Guzman handling VAR duties. Pre-match analysis from ESPN Brasil predicts a Czech Republic victory, with forecaster Fábio Luciano projecting a 2-0 win.
Why This Matters
This is an elimination-level group match, so the result will immediately shape the teams’ chances of advancing and the betting, broadcasting, and fan attention around the group. For viewers, it is a high-stakes game with lineup changes, suspension impacts, and likely tactical conservatism from two coaches under pressure. For followers tracking tournament scenarios, the loser will be effectively out, making this a key fixture to monitor in real time.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireCzech Republic vs South Africa World Cup Group A match at Mercedes-Benz Arena, Atlanta