South Korea vs Czech Republic Prediction: Krejci can capitalise in Zapopan

Co-hosts Mexico get the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway with a game against South Africa before South Korea and the Czech Republic close out the first round of fixtures in Group A at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico (Thursday 8pm local, Friday 3am BST, ITV).

Below are my South Korea vs Czech Republic predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, now plying his trade stateside at LAFC, will spearhead South Korea's attack in Zapopan. The 33-year-old, who skippers the Taeguk Warriors, is two goals away from equalling South Korea's all-time scoring record, held by Cha Bum-kun (58 goals).

Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae will look to provide solidity in defence, while Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Lee Kang-in may be utilised from the bench after failing to start a match since 10 May.

World Cup Odds

Sparta Prague striker Jan Kuchta is doubtful for the Czech Republic with an unspecified injury, but the 29-year-old wouldn't have expected to start anyway, with Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick leading the line instead.

Schick is likely to be supported in attack by Lyon's Pavel Sulc and Slavia Prague's Lukas Provod, with West Ham United's Tomas Soucek providing experience in midfield.

Wolves' Ladislav Krejci will skipper Miroslav Koubek's side, probably from the furthest left of a back three, and he could come into contact with club teammate Hwang Hee-chan, who is set to start for Hong Myung-bo's team.

Head-to-head record

South Korea and the Czech Republic have met three times before, all in friendlies. Four goals were shared in a 1998 draw before a win apiece in the 21st century, with the Czechs inflicting a 5-0 thrashing in August 2001 and South Korea hitting back just under 15 years later with a 2-1 victory (June 2016).

South Korea vs Czech Republic Odds

The Czech Republic are marginal favourites to win, with 9/5 odds implying a 35.7% probability of success, with South Korea 8/5, or a 38.5% chance, and the draw offered at 21/10.

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Price Boosts - Patrik Schick (CZE) 2+ Shots on Target @ 13/8 15/8

Schick has never played at a World Cup before, but he claimed the Silver Boot at Euro 2020 (played in 2021), only missing out on the Golden Boot to fellow five-goal forward Cristiano Ronaldo due to having fewer assists than the Portugal star, although the Czech striker struck more times from open play.

In the Czech Republic's opening game of the tournament against Scotland, Schick bagged a brace and hit the target with his other three shots, before scoring in his country's 1-1 draw with Croatia. He blanked in the final group match, a 1-0 loss to England, but scored with one of his two shots on target in a 2-0 last-16 success over the Netherlands and notched in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Denmark.

Schick ended Euro 2020 with nine shots on target and five goals from five appearances, and in two Euro 2024 outings, he racked up four shots on target, one of which resulted in a goal.

The 30-year-old averaged 1.5 shots on target per 90 minutes in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season for Leverkusen, registering at least two in seven of his final eight matches, and he ended the campaign on 16 goals (28 appearances, 23 starts), highlighting his accuracy in front of goal.

At 15/8, I like his boosted price to record 2+ Shots on Target against South Korea, who have been thrashed 4-0 by Ivory Coast (March 2026) and 5-0 by Brazil (October 2025) in friendlies during the past nine months.

Player 2+ Shots (Sub Switch) - Ladislav Krejci (CZE) @ 13/5

Krejci was crucial to his country's successful qualification campaign, scoring in both play-off victories over the Republic of Ireland and Denmark, while he was also successful from the spot in both penalty shootouts.

The Czech Republic fell 2-0 behind to the Republic of Ireland in their play-off semi-final, but Schick converted from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, and in the 86th minute, Krejci rose highest to head an equaliser and send the tie to extra-time.

The Wolves defender scored with his third and final shot against the Boys in Green, but he was successful with his one and only attempt against Denmark, finding the net with his left foot from close range in the 100th minute, or the 10th minute of extra-time.

Krejci recorded two shots in just one of the Czech Republic's regular qualifiers, but it was against a high-level opponent as they were thrashed 5-1 by Croatia.

The 27-year-old endured a difficult season at club level as his Wolves side were relegated to the EFL Championship following a 20th-place finish in the Premier League, but for a defender, he wasn't shy to shoot, recording 21 attempts from 28 appearances at an average of 0.8 per 90.

He was particularly trigger-happy towards the end of the term, registering two shots in three of his final five games, despite being withdrawn before the 76th minute of two.

At 6ft 3in, Krejci is an imposing figure from set-pieces, and South Korea, who conceded three headers from their final six qualifiers, could suffer against the Old Gold star; from the projected South Korea starting lineup, only Lee Han-Beom and Kim Min-jae are over 6ft, so Krejci could prey on his opponents' lack of height.

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