Czechia and South Africa have confirmed their starting teams on matchday two of their 2026 World Cup campaigns in Atlanta on Thursday.
The play-off winners took a second-half lead through Ladislav Krejci in their first game before losing 2-1 to South Korea in Zapopan.
Bafana Bafana lost 2-0 to Mexico in the opening match of the finals, suffering two straight red cards in a performance head coach Hugo Broos attributed to inexperience.
Mexico and South Korea will continue the action in the group in Zapopan on Friday (02:00 BST).
🏟️ Getting a feel for the stage.
Bafana Bafana out on the turf at Atlanta Stadium, locking in ahead of tonight’s crucial match. The preparation is done, now it’s just about the execution. Let’s go, Boys! 🇿🇦⚽#BafanaPride@adidasfootball @adidasZA @REXONA_SA @StandardBankZA… pic.twitter.com/vky4tbX7kK— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 18, 2026
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World Cup 2026: Czechia confirmed team vs South Africa
Czechia make five changes, bringing in Tomas Holes, Vladimir Darida, Lukas Cerv, Michal Sadilek and Adam Hlozek.
Stepan Chaloupek, Tomas Soucek, Jaroslav Zeleny, Lukas Provod and Pavel Sulc move to the bench.
Czechia starting XI: Matej Kovar, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Vladimir Coufal, Ladislav Krejci, Vladimir Darida, Lukas Cerv, Michal Sadilek, Alexandr Sojka, Adam Hlozek, Patrik Schick
Czechia substitutes: Jindrich Stanek, Lukas Hornicek, David Zima, Stepan Chaloupek, Jaroslav Zeleny, David Doudera, Lukas Provod, Tomas Soucek, Hugo Jan Backovsky, Jan Kuchta, Mojmir Chytil, Pavel Sulc, Tomas Chory, Denis Visinsky
World Cup 2026: South Africa full line up vs Czechia
South Africa are without the suspended Yaya Sithole, who started against Mexico, and Themba Zwane, who came on as a second-half substitute and joined his fellow midfielder in being dismissed.
As well as Sithole, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lyle Foster make way from their starting line-up, both moving to the bench.
Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Maseko come in.
South Africa starting XI: Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams, Oswin Appollis, Thapelo Maseko, Iqraam Rayners
South Africa substitutes: Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Samukelo Kabini, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Kamogelo Sebelebele,
Where to watch Czechia v South Africa: TV channel, live online streams
Czechia v South Africa kicks off at 17:00 BST (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT) on Thursday. In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Czechia v South Africa stats
- Czechia are at the World Cup for the 10th time, including eight participations as Czechoslovakia in the previous century, losing the final in 1934 and 1962
- This is their second participation this century, after being eliminated in the 2006 group stage
- They have been eliminated in five of their seven World Cup group stages, only progressing in 1962 and 1990
- Eleven of Czechia’s 22 goals in the qualifiers came from set plays, including a European-high seven from corners
- Koubek started as Czechia head coach in December 2025, after they finished second in their qualifying group behind Croatia; both of their play-off ties against Republic of Ireland and Denmark ended 2-2 after 120 minutes, winning both on penalties
- South Africa are making their fourth World Cup appearance and their first away from home soil since 2002
- They are yet to progress beyond the first round at the tournament and none of their previous 10 matches at the World Cup have ended goalless, with their two wins coming against Slovenia in 2002 and France in 2010
- Apollis was directly involved in twice as many goals as any other South African player during the qualifiers, contributing two goals and four assists
- This is Broos’ first experience as head coach at the World Cup. The Belgian is the fourth individual to lead Bafana Bafana at the tournament, after Frenchman Phillipe Troussier (1998), South African Jomo Sono (2002) and Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira (2010)
- As a head coach, Broos won the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2017 and finished third with South Africa in 2023, before being knocked out in the last 16 in the 2025 edition.
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