Czechia vs. South Africa projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup 2026 Group A game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >Czechia and South Africa meet on Thursday in Atlanta in aWorld CupGroup A. . .
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >Czechia and South Africa meet on Thursday in Atlanta in aWorld CupGroup A game that neither side can realistically afford to lose. Respective defeats to South Korea and co-hosts Mexico on matchday one has left these teams in need of points to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the knockout phase. While they cannot be eliminated just yet, largely by virtue of the expanded tournament and the fact that more teams progress to the next phase, a loss here would be a massive blow to either team. How they set up to avoid such a scenario will be critical. Here is how we expect the teams to line up. 2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news|Full World Cup schedule| Buy World Cup ticketsCzechia projected starting 11(3-4-3, right to left):1. M. Kovar (GK) — 6. S. Chaloupek, 4. R. Hranac, 7. L. Krejci — 5. V. Coufal, 22. T. Soucek, 24. A. Sojka, 20. J. Zeleny — 17. L. Provod, 10. P. Schick, 15. P. SulcInjured:NoneSuspended:NoneWe're not expecting wholesale changes to the Czechia lineup despite the disappointment of the defeat on the opening matchday. Hoffenheim forwardAdam Hlozekmay come in to freshen the attack, perhaps in place ofLukas Provod, but it does seem as though head coach Miroslav Koubek will keep the lineup consistent. South Africa projected starting 11(5-3-2, right to left):1. R. Williams (GK) — 20. K. Mudau, 21. I. Okon, 19. N. Sibisi, 14. M. Mbokazi, 6. A Modiba — 23. J. Adams, 5. T. Mbatha, 4. T. Mokoena — 9. L. Foster, 15. I RaynersInjured:NoneSuspended:Y. Sithole, T. ZwaneSouth Africa must contend without the suspendedYaya SitholeandThemba Zwaneafter their red cards against Mexico. Thalente Mbathais the likely candidate to slot into midfield in place of Sithole. Avoiding defeat is vital to Bafana Bafana's chances of going through, so expect the back-five system to be retained. Orlando Pirates'Oswin Appollismay come in to offer more midfield creativity, if Hugo Broos decides to go for broke. MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World CupCzechia vs. South Africa World Cup rostersHere are the names on Czechia and South Africa's World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026. Czechia World Cup rosterHead coach:Miroslav KoubekPosNo. NameClubAgeCapsGK23Lukas HornicekBraga (Primeira Liga, Portugal)231GK1Matej KovarPSV (Eredivisie, Netherlands)2619GK16Jindrich StanekSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)3014DEF5Vladimir CoufalHoffenheim (Bundesliga, Germany)3361DEF21David DouderaSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)2816DEF3Tomas HolesSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)3340DEF4Robin HranacHoffenheim (Bundesliga, Germany)2613DEF6Stepan ChaloupekSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)234DEF14David JurasekSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)2515DEF7Ladislav KrejciGirona (Segunda Division, Spain)2726DEF20Jaroslav ZelenySparta Prague (First League, Czechia)3322DEF2David ZimaSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)2524MID12Lukas CervViktoria Plzen (First League, Czechia)2516MID8Vladimir DaridaHradec Kralove (First League, Czechia)3578MID17Lukas ProvodSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)2937MID18Michal SadilekSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)2734MID25Hugo SochurekSparta Prague (First League, Czechia)171MID24Alexandr SojkaViktoria Plzen (First League, Czechia)231MID22Tomas SoucekWest Ham (Championship, England)3189MID15Pavel SulcLyon (Ligue 1, France)2520MID26Denis VisinskyViktoria Plzen (First League, Czechia)231FWD9Adam HlozekHoffenheim (Bundesliga, Germany)2342FWD19Tomas ChorySlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)3121FWD13Mojmir ChytilSlavia Prague (First League, Czechia)2722FWD11Jan KuchtaSparta Prague (First League, Czechia)2931FWD10Patrik SchickBayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany)3052South Africa World Cup squadHead coach:Hugo BroosPositionNo. PlayerClubAgeCapsGK1Ronwen WilliamsMamelodi Sundowns (Premiership, South Africa)3462GK22Ricardo GossSiwelele (Premiership, South Africa)324GK16Sipho ChaineOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)293DF`6Aubrey ModibaMamelodi Sundowns (Premiership, South Africa)3044DF`20Khuliso MudauMamelodi Sundowns (Premiership, South Africa)3132DF`19Nkosinathi SibisiOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)3019DF`14Mbekezeli MbokaziChicago Fire (MLS, USA)2010DF`21Ime OkonHannover 96 (2. Bundesliga, Germany)227DF`18Samukele KabiniMolde FK (Eliteserien, Norway)225DF`3Khulumani NdamaneMamelodi Sundowns (RSA)225DF`2Thabang MatuludiPolokwane City (RSA)272DF`25Kamogelo SebelebeleOrlando Pirates (RSA)232DF`26Bradley CrossKaizer Chiefs (RSA)250DF`24Olwethu MakhanyaPhiladelphia Union (MLS, USA)220MF4Teboho MokoenaMamelodi Sundowns (RSA)2951MF13Sphephelo SitholeTondela (Primeira Liga, Portugal)2727MF5Thalente MbathaOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)2614MF23Jayden AdamsMamelodi Sundowns (Premiership, South Africa)254FW11Themba ZwaneMamelodi Sundowns (Premiership, South Africa)3653FW9Lyle FosterBurnley (Championship, England)2626FW17Evidence MakgopaOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)2626FW7Oswin AppollisOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)2425FW15Iqraam RaynersMamelodi Sundowns (Premiership, South Africa)3013FW10Relebohile MofokengOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)2112FW12Thapelo MasekoAEL Limassol (1st Division, Cyprus)229FW8Tshepang MoremiOrlando Pirates (Premiership, South Africa)259Czechia vs. South Africa predictions, betting oddsNeither team can afford a defeat here if they want to keep their hopes of going through realistic. Expect an extremely cagey encounter in which Czechia's greater individual quality is likely to prove the difference. Score prediction: Czechia 1-0 South AfricaWhere to watch Czechia vs. South AfricaIn USA:TV channel:FS1Live stream:fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/websiteThis match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms. The best place to catch the match is on streaming servicefubo, with new customers able to sign up for aFREE trial. Fubooffers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply. )Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:RegionTVStreamingCanadaTSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDSTSN+, RDS appUKBBC OneBBC iPlayerAustraliaSBSSBS On DemandIndiaUnite8 Sports 1ZEE5