The opening match in Zapopan is a crucial fixture for both teams as they look to establish themselves early in what is expected to be a highly competitive group.
Under intense domestic pressure, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo must prove that his vertical transition system can succeed on the world stage. They will face a resilient and experienced Czech Republic side, managed by Miroslav Koubek.
South Korea Team News
South Korea head into their opening match with strong confidence after an impressive AFC qualifying campaign. Hong Myung-bo’s side finished top of their group without major difficulties and are now targeting a perfect start in Mexico.
Captain Son Heung-min remains the focal point of the Taeguk Warriors. The experienced forward will be making his fourth World Cup appearance and is expected to lead the attack alongside Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan. The good news for South Korea is that most of their key players are fully fit, including Hwang, who has recovered from an injury issue that affected the latter part of his season.
Beyond their attacking quality, South Korea have also undertaken special preparations to adapt to conditions in Mexico. Hong Myung-bo has placed strong emphasis on fitness management, as altitude is expected to play a significant role in influencing match intensity over 90 minutes.
Czech Republic Team News
The Czech Republic arrive at the World Cup with positive momentum after ending a 20-year absence from the tournament. Národní tým had to navigate a tense playoff path before securing their place in Mexico, demonstrating resilience and strong mentality throughout their qualification journey.
Head coach Miroslav Koubek has selected a balanced squad combining experienced players and emerging talents. Tomáš Souček and Patrik Schick remain the key figures expected to lead the team on the pitch, while attention is also drawn to young midfielder Hugo Sochurek, who earned his place in the final squad after an impressive senior international debut.
The Czech Republic’s main strength lies in their disciplined structure, aerial ability, and efficiency from set-piece situations. With many players having spent years together in domestic competition, they will rely on strong team chemistry to cope with South Korea’s pace and attacking movement.
Predicted Lineups
South Korea: Kim Seung-gyu (GK); Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, Lee Gi-hyuk; Seol Young-woo, Lee Tae-seok, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho; Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung; Son Heung-min.
Czech Republic: Matej Kovar (GK); Vladimir Coufal, David Doudera, Tomas Holes, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny; Tomas Soucek, Michal Sadilek; Adam Hlozek, Pavel Sulc, Patrik Schick.
Score Prediction
This match is expected to be closely contested, with an intriguing battle in midfield. Tomáš Souček will be a key figure for the Czech Republic thanks to his box-to-box ability, physical presence, and threat from set-piece situations. On the other hand, South Korea will rely on the dynamic movement of Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min to create space in the final third.
In terms of playing style, South Korea hold an edge in quick transitions and attacking creativity, while the Czech Republic are more reliant on structure, discipline, and physical strength. If they can control the tempo and effectively exploit counter-attacking opportunities, the Taeguk Warriors have a strong chance of securing all three points in their opening match.
Score Prediction: South Korea 2–1 Czech Republic
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