South Africa battle South Korea for second in their final Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Victory coupled with defeat for Czech Republic against Mexico would see South Africa qualify for the knockout stages as Group A runners-up.
A win for Czech Republic and South Africa however would mean that their final positions would be determined by a variety of tie-break rules, including goal difference, goals scored and etc.
South Korea will finish second in Group A with a win although a draw would be enough due to having won their head-to-head clash against Czech Republic.
Team News
Teboho Mokoena is suspended for South Africa after he picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in their 1-1 draw against Czech Republic.
Sphephelo Sithole is back from his suspension, but Themba Zwane is serving the second of his three-match ban.
South Korea have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-0 loss to Mexico.
When is Kick-Off?
South Africa face South Korea at Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico, on Wednesday 24 June at 7pm CST (2am BST, Thursday 25 June), live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is South Africa’s first-ever World Cup meeting against South Korea.
- South Korea have never met South Africa previously in all competitions.
- No South Africa player at this tournament put more shots on target than Evidence Makgopa (2).
- No South Korea players has won more tackles in their opening two matches at this tournament than Lee Jae-sung (3).
Prediction
In with an outside chance of snatching second spot if Mexico do them a favour, South Africa have to show the same defensive resilience and attacking grit as they did to hold the Czechs otherwise their campaign is definitely over.
South Korea meanwhile were just undone against Mexico by a small fumble in an otherwise tight game where both teams looked cagey, so I expect them to come out and show the dominant flair which they produced in their opener against the Czechs.
Now if they do that with patience and clinical composure, I expect them to comfortably sail through as Group A runners-up.
Prediction: South Africa 1-1 South Korea