World Cup Prediction: Son Heung-min to Shine as South Korea Faces Czech Republic

South Korea and Czech Republic face off in their opening World Cup 2026 match, with both teams seeking an early advantage in a closely contested Group A. The two nations have met only once before, a 2-1 victory for South Korea in 2016.

Son Heung-min, the sole South Korean player from that previous encounter and the nation's star, carries the hopes for the team. After a disappointing performance without scoring in the 2022 World Cup, the now nearly 34-year-old superstar has moved to play in the United States for Los Angeles FC. This move may prove crucial, reducing his club workload and allowing him to adapt to American weather and pitches, potentially revitalizing his World Cup form.

Valued at 188 million euros by Transfermarkt, Czech Republic holds a slight edge over South Korea's 139 million euro squad. The Czech team generally possesses more experience and a stronger roster. However, bookmakers have set even odds for this match, indicating a perceived balance between the two sides. The over/under for total goals is set at 2.25, with 1 goal for the first half, a relatively low figure suggesting a cautious approach from both teams, likely focused on counter-attacking play.

Given the evenness of Group A, which also includes Mexico and South Africa, both teams may adopt conservative tactics in their opening fixture. Czech Republic has seen high-scoring games recently, with at least two goals in each of their last five matches. In contrast, South Korea's recent record shows three wins and two losses in their last five games, with two matches ending goalless and three finishing 1-0. Sportsmole experts predict a 1-1 draw, while 60% of Sofascore users favor a South Korean win. Computer analysis from Sportsmole gives South Korea a 42% chance of victory, compared to 32.5% for Czech Republic. The prediction is a 0-0 score at halftime, with South Korea winning 1-0.