Son Heung-min needs two goals to break Cha Bum-kun’s all-time South Korea scoring record, and he arrives at this World Cup having scored a brace in the pre-tournament win over Trinidad & Tobago. Whether that personal milestone sharpens his focus or adds an unwanted layer of pressure is the most interesting sub-plot in South Korea’s Group A opener at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on 12 June.
Czech Republic bring their own weight to the fixture. This is their first World Cup since 2006, a 20-year absence, and Patrik Schick is the man they will lean on. He has had a prolific Bundesliga season at Bayer Leverkusen, helping the club to the domestic title, and arrives in good form. The bigger problem is the absence of Václav Černý, whose directness and pace would have given South Korea’s backline real problems. Pavel Sulc steps into a larger role than anticipated. Adam Hložek’s return from injury to make the squad at least gives the attack some depth, though how this Czech side handle the pace of a World Cup opener after 20 years away is an open question.
South Korea lost Cho Yu-min to a foot injury before the tournament; uncapped Jo Wi-je is in the squad as cover and the gap in defence is real. Hwang Hee-chan is fit after a late-season ankle knock and available alongside Son, important given how much of South Korea’s attacking threat runs through that pair. Their qualifying run adds to the picture: they were the only Asian side to go through unbeaten, a record that tends to get undervalued.
What to expect
Czech Republic will sit in. They have no reason to open up against Son and Hwang, and the plan will be a compact defensive shape with Schick holding play and threatening on the counter. South Korea are marginally ahead overall but will not force the issue against an organised block. Without Černý’s direct running, Czech Republic’s ability to stretch play is reduced, and Sulc in an enlarged role at his first World Cup carries real uncertainty. This has the shape of a match decided by one moment rather than an end-to-end attacking game.
For the full pre-match market view before kick-off at 02:00 GMT, the football betting section at Campeonbet has all the latest options.
Our betting tips
Under 2.5 goals. Czech Republic’s main concern in this opener is keeping things tight. Their shape will be compact, the midfield will make South Korea work for everything, and Schick’s most likely contribution is a counter-attack goal rather than a shooting gallery. South Korea can create but are up against a side that will give them very little space. Without Černý’s direct running, the game is less open than it might have been. A single-goal result either way, or a tight draw, covers most of what is likely here.
Double chance: South Korea or draw. Czech Republic’s 20-year absence is a real disadvantage when it comes to managing the intensity of a World Cup opener. South Korea have unbeaten qualifying form behind them and Son, motivated by the personal record as much as the result, in the best form of his career. Covering a Korea win and the draw captures the two most realistic outcomes in a match the market has rated as wide open.
Place your bets and check the current odds on the sports betting page at Campeonbet.
Quick questions
When does it kick off? South Korea vs Czech Republic starts at 02:00 GMT on 12 June 2026, at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
Who has the edge? South Korea are slightly ahead on paper, the stronger qualifying run, Son at peak confidence with personal history in reach, Hwang fit and available. Czech Republic have a real threat through Schick and will be hard to break down. It is properly open.
What is the main tip? Under 2.5 goals. A cautious Czech Republic managing their World Cup return, combined with South Korea unlikely to open themselves up defensively, points toward a tight, low-scoring game.
