Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 World Cup
Group A
South Africa vs South Korea
Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe
25 June 2026, 03:00
South Africa will chase a victory over South Korea when the teams meet in their final 2026 World Cup Group A match, set for Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on the morning of Thursday 25 June. Kick-off at 03:00.
Bafana Bafana come into the match placed at the bottom of Group A after recording a 0-2 loss to Mexico in the tournament’s opener, followed by a 1-1 draw against Czechia in Atlanta last week, which saw Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty cancel out Michal Sadilek’s opener – and keep the African side clinging to life in the tournament.
In order to advance beyond the group stage of a World Cup for the first time ever, Bafana have to defeat South Korea. That would likely clinch second place in the group and automatic progression, or third-place and a good chance of being one of the top eight ranked such finishers among the 12 groups.
Yet South Korea will be no easy prey for South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors came from behind to impressively defeat Czechia 2-1 in their opener in Zapopan, and were a touch unlucky to lose 1-0 to Mexico at the same venue in their second match.
The Asian side needs only a draw to guarantee a top-two finish and progression into the knockout phase.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos is well aware of the challenge awaiting his team: “I'm very sorry to say this, but they are like Duracells: you plug them in, and they start running, and they run for 90 minutes, so it will not be easy.
"Yes, South Korea is a little bit in between Mexico and Czechia: it’s a very disciplined team. This is a characteristic of the Eastern teams; they are always disciplined, you saw that in their game against Czechia. They also have a good players, a few key players in the team."
In head-to-head terms, this will be the first clash between South Africa and South Korea.
Argentinian referee Facundo Tello will take charge of the match between Bafana Bafana and the Taegeuk Warriors.
The other Group A match between Mexico and Czechia will be played concurrently at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
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