Czechia and South Africa are hoping to get off the mark at the 2026 World Cup when they face each other in Atlanta as the second round of group stage fixtures gets underway on Thursday evening.
Both nations fell to defeats in their first matches in Group A: South Africa fell to a 3-1 defeat against co-hosts Mexico in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup while Czechia were defeated 2-1 by South Korea shortly afterwards.
South Africa’s defeat was particularly costly as they had two players sent off in the process and will therefore be without Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane against Czechia on Thursday.
The Czech outfit has made a handful of changes, most notably leaving West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek among the substitutes.
There are no Serie A representatives involved in today’s game
Kick-off is due at 17.00 BST.
Czechia vs. South Africa: Confirmed line-ups
Czechia (5-3-2): Kovar; Coufal, Holes, Hranac, Krejci, Sojka; Sadilek, Darida, Cerv; Hlozek, Schick.
Subs: Stanek, Hornicek, Zima, Chaloupek, Zeleny, Doudera, Provod, Soucek, Sochurek, Kuchta, Chytil, Sulc, Chory, Visinsky.
South Africa (4-3-3): Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha, Adams; Maseko, Rayners, Appollis.
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Ndamane, Kabini, Sibisi, Makhanya, Cross, Moremi, Foster, Mofokeng, Makgopa, Sebelebele.
Suspended: Sithole, Zwane
