South Africa vs Czechia: How & When to Watch Their World Cup 2026 Match

Fez – After losing their opening fixtures, the two sides know that anything less than a win could leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested group.

Match details:

Fixture: South Africa vs Czechia

Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A

Date: Thursday, June 18

Kick-off: 12:00 p.m. EDT 05:00 PM GMT+1

How to watch:  beIN Sports, FOX Sports and local FIFA World Cup broadcasters

South Africa team news:

South Africa arrived at this fixture eager to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening match. 

Despite the result, Bafana Bafana showed flashes of promise and remained determined to secure their first points of the tournament.

This is South Africa’s fourth World Cup appearance and their first since hosting the tournament in 2010. 

The team qualified after an impressive campaign and will hope to use their pace and energy to trouble the Czech defense.

Coach Hugo Broos is expected to rely on captain Ronwen Williams in goal, while Percy Tau remains the side’s main attacking threat. 

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena will also play a key role as South Africa look to control possession and create scoring opportunities.

With South Korea awaiting in their final group game, Bafana Bafana knew that victory on Thursday could completely revive their hopes of progressing to the next round.

Czechia team news

Czechia, meanwhile, came into the match looking to recover from a narrow 2-1 defeat against South Korea in their tournament opener.

The Central Europeans showed resilience in that game but were unable to hold on after taking the lead. 

Now, they face another must-win scenario as they seek to keep pace with the top teams in Group A.

Coach Ivan Hasek is expected to place his faith in striker Patrik Schick, who remains Czechia’s biggest attacking weapon. 

Tomas Soucek will provide leadership and experience in midfield, while the defense will need to tighten up after conceding twice in the opening match.

Czechia has a rich footballing history and has regularly competed at major tournaments. 

However, they are still searching for their first World Cup knockout appearance since becoming an independent nation in 1993.

What is at stake?

With Mexico and South Korea already off to winning starts, the stakes could hardly be higher for South Africa and Czechia.

A victory would put the winner firmly back in contention for a place in the Round of 32, while defeat would leave qualification hopes in serious danger ahead of the final round of group matches.

Expected lineups:

South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Xulu, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Tau, Foster, Appollis; Rayners.

Czechia: Stanek; Coufal, Krejci, Holes, Jurasek; Soucek, Cerv; Cerny, Provod, Hlozek; Schick.

Two teams under pressure, three crucial points at stake, and little room for error. 

Thursday’s clash could prove decisive in shaping the outcome of Group A and determining who keeps their World Cup dream alive.