The big wait is finally over, and we have got an interesting encounter to look forward to on the first day of the tournament. South Korea is going to be taking on Czechia in Group A, and both teams will want to get off to a fast start.
South Korea went unbeaten during their qualifying campaign and will feel confident going into this game. Czechia, however, did not have everything their own way and only qualified for the tournament through the European playoffs.
Here we look at three top tips that players can get involved in a potentially good matchup in the heat of Guadalajara, Mexico.
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Final Result – Draw
South Korea had a great qualifying campaign with 11 wins and five draws. Going undefeated over 16 games is tough for any team but the Koreans didn’t have much quality against them.
They have won both of their warmup games going into the tournament, beating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 and then El Salvador 1-0. It feels like South Korea have won a lot of games against poor opposition over the last few years and that their Fifa ranking of 25th is a bit false.
Now they must face a Czechia side who have been on an impressive run over the last year. A shock loss away to the Faroe Islands in qualifying seems to have sparked them up and they haven’t lost since.

They have also won both of their warmup games with 2-1 and 3-1 wins against Kosovo and Guatemala respectively. They are not as highly ranked compared to their Korean opponents, but they are an effective team.
Expect both teams to be cagey when they start this game and neither will want to lose. A tight draw feels inevitable.
Key betting tips at the best bookmakers include a final result – draw.
Both Teams to Score
Although this game is expected to be a tight affair it does feel like both teams are likely to get on the scoresheet. Neither team has shown great defensive ability in their qualifying campaigns, but that they can score goals.
Both teams have got good striking options in Son Heung-Min and Patrik Schick who should put their stamp on this tournament. They also both have players that can contribute to attacking play and with neither team wanting to lose a goal on each side should happen.
Player to Score and Draw – Patrik Schick
Patrik Schick was a vital part of Czechia’s qualifying campaign and if they are to be successful, he will need to play well again. In the eight games that Schick started he scored five goals and was the team’s top scorer.
He also had 26 shots with 12 of them hitting the target, giving him a good 46% conversion rate. Essentially, if the team can give him a couple of decent opportunities, he is likely to score.
Finally make sure to put this in the player to score and draw market so that the bigger price is available.
Summary
The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features South Korea vs Czechia in Group A, with both teams eager for a strong start. South Korea enters undefeated from qualifying, while Czechia advanced through the European playoffs.
Schick scored 5 goals in qualifying with a 46% shot accuracy, making him a solid pick in this market. For best betting experiences, players should use top bookmakers offering competitive odds and promotions. Check the full FIFA World Cup schedule to plan your bets and track upcoming fixtures.
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