World Cup 2026: Son and Schick start for South Korea vs Czechia

South Korea start with Son Heung-min leading their attacking play, supported by Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung. Behind them, Kim Min-jae leads the defense, while Hwang In-beom and Paik Seung-ho are tasked with providing balance in midfield.

Czechia respond with Patrik Schick in attack and Tomáš Souček at the heart of the game. Vladimir Coufal takes the right flank in a team expected to look for numbers, physical impact and quick breaks.

The starting XIs

South Korea Kim Seung-gyu, Lee Gi-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, Seol Young-woo, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min.
Czechia Matěj Kovář, Štěpán Chaloupek, Robin Hranáč, Ladislav Krejčí, Vladimir Coufal, Tomáš Souček, Alexandr Sojka, Jaroslav Zelený, Lukáš Provod, Pavel Šulc, Patrik Schick.

What these selections indicate

Hong Myung-bo keeps a cautious structure built around a reinforced defensive line. Wing-backs Seol Young-woo and Lee Tae-seok will have an important role in providing width without leaving too much space behind them. The presence of Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in gives South Korea two major outlets to accelerate in the final 30 meters.

For Czechia, Alexandr Sojka’s start alongside Tomáš Souček brings a younger profile to midfield. The defensive base of Chaloupek, Hranáč and Krejčí must protect Matěj Kovář, while Coufal and Zelený can support transitions. Up front, Schick remains the reference point to pin South Korea’s defense and attack the box.

This fixture therefore pits two teams capable of playing in a 3-4-3 against each other, with an expected duel in the wide areas and a strong emphasis on transitions. The first half-hour will show whether South Korea can impose their creative players or whether Czechia can slow the tempo before looking for Schick in decisive areas.

Group A schedule

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