Korea face Czech Republic at 11 a.m. Korean Standard Time Thursday in Mexico

South Korea's Son Heung-min arrives at the team's accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday ahead of the country's first group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [Yonhap]
South Korea's Son Heung-min arrives at the team's accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday ahead of the country's first group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [Yonhap]

The Czech Republic, South Korea's first opponent in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, has arrived in the United States.

The Czech squad, led by coach Miroslav Koubek, set up its base camp Friday at the Sheraton Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.

The team had played its final pre-tournament friendly the previous day against Guatemala at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, before flying to Texas.

Ranked 39th by FIFA, the Czech Republic is returning to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, having been eliminated in the group stage at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

The Czechs qualified by finishing second in European qualifying Group L behind Croatia, then advancing through the playoffs — beating Ireland in the semifinal and Denmark in the final, both on penalty shootouts.

The South Korea national football team arrives at their accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday ahead of their first group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [Yonhap]
The South Korea national football team arrives at their accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday ahead of their first group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [Yonhap]

The Czech Republic opened their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 win over Kosovo in Prague on May 31, then beat Guatemala 3-1 in a friendly after arriving in the United States.

The outcome of the Group A opener against the Czechs — a tall, physical side anchored by Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick — could set the tone for South Korea's entire World Cup campaign under coach Hong Myung-bo.

The two sides meet Thursday at 11 a.m. Korean Standard Time at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.

The Czech Republic will train at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield, near Fort Worth, before traveling to Mexico for the match. South Korea has chosen Guadalajara as its base camp with an eye on altitude acclimatization given the venue's conditions.

The Czech Republic was assigned its base camp as the European playoff winner, though the team faces a demanding travel schedule — two of its three group-stage matches will be played in Mexico.


hope@heraldcorp.com