Czechia or South Africa could be the first team eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We look ahead to the match with our preview and prediction.
Czechia vs South Africa: The Key Insights
The Opta supercomputer makes Czechia the favourites with a 54.9% win probability, compared to South Africa’s 21.8%. In Czechia’s Miroslav Koubek (74 years, 290 days) and South Africa’s Hugo Broos (74y 69d), this will be the first match in World Cup history to see both head coaches aged over 70. Teboho Mokoena completed 92.9% of his passes (39/42) against Mexico, the highest ratio by a South Africa player to attempt 40+ passes in a World Cup match.Czechia and South Africa both have a point to prove when they go head-to-head in a crunch World Cup Group A match at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday.
Despite taking the lead in their opening game against South Korea through Relebohile Mofokeng as a replacement for the suspended Zwane, while Thalante Mbatha is likely to be called upon in the absence of Sithole.
South Africa only have a 23.9% chance of making it through to the knockout rounds, according to the Opta supercomputer, and a positive result against Czechia will be key to keeping that possibility alive.
Czechia vs South Africa Head-to-Head
Czechia and South Africa have only met once before, and that came at the Confederations Cup in 1997. That game finished 2-2, with Vladimír Smicer scoring a double.
South Africa have gone up against European opposition in the World Cup on six occasions. Their most recent such match was a memorable 2-1 victory over France that dumped Les Bleus out of the 2010 World Cup.
Bafana Bafana have lost just one of their last four World Cup matches against European opposition – a 3-2 defeat to Spain in 2002.
Czechia, meanwhile, lost their only previous World Cup game against African opposition, going down 2-0 to Ghana in 2006.
Czechia vs South Africa Prediction
Czechia fared far better than South Africa in the Opta supercomputer’s 10,000 pre-match simulations.
Koubek’s side won 54.9% of the projections, with South Africa triumphing in 21.8%.
A draw, which would keep both teams in the hunt for qualification, has a probability of 23.3% – that is more likely than a South Africa victory.
Czechia vs South Africa Squads
Czechia: Matej Kovár, Jindrich Stanek, Lukás Hornícek, David Zima, Tomás Holes, Robin Hranác, Vladimír Coufal, Stepán Chaloupek, Ladislav Krejcí, David Jurásek, Jaroslav Zeleny, Vladimír Darida, Lukás Cerv, Pavel Sulc, Lukás Provod, Michal Sadílek, David Doudera, Tomás Soucek, Alexandr Sojka, Hugo Sochurek, Denis Visinsky, Adam Hlozek, Patrik Schick, Jan Kuchta, Mojmír Chytil, Tomás Chory.
South Africa: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Samukele Kabini, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Themba Zwane, Yaya Sithole, Jayden Adams, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thapelo Maseko, Iqraam Rayners, Evidence Makgopa.
Czechia vs South Africa Predicted Lineups
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Czechia vs South Africa Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview Opta Analyst.
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