South Africa and South Korea meet for a decisive clash in the third round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match kicks off on Thursday, 25 June at 2 AM (BST) at the Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe.
Both sides have their qualification hopes on the line in this final group game. South Africa will be desperate for a victory after their recent draw, while South Korea aim to bounce back from a defeat to secure their spot in the next round. Our prediction for South Africa vs. South Korea anticipates a tense encounter.
Find out what our expert predictions are for this exciting encounter.
Match Overview - South Africa vs. South Korea
- South Africa holds one point in the World Cup group stage and needs a win to progress. They recently secured a draw with a late penalty.
- South Korea has three points in the group after one win and one loss. A positive result against South Africa is vital for their qualification hopes.
- This World Cup match is crucial, with no prior head-to-head history between the teams. A spot in the knockout stages is at stake, ensuring a competitive encounter.
Head-to-Head Record
- This will be the first-ever meeting between South Africa and South Korea.
- South Africa have no wins, four draws and three losses in their last seven matches.
- South Korea have won three of their last five international fixtures, losing the other two.
- Bafana Bafana have conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game so far in the World Cup.
- South Africa: Teboho Mokoena has scored the team’s only goal of the tournament so far.
- South Korea: Hwang In-beom has been directly involved in both of his team’s goals, providing one goal and one assist.
South Africa's World Cup Hopes on the Line
South Africa holds one point from two World Cup matches, making progression challenging. They drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic through Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty, following a 2-0 loss to Mexico. A win is crucial for Bafana Bafana to advance.
Their recent international form is poor, with no wins in seven games. In the World Cup, the team has scored just one goal and conceded three.
Mokoena and Zwane will miss this important match due to yellow and red cards. As they are essential players, this fact makes the situation for the South African even harder.
South Korea Aims to Secure Knockout Spot
South Korea enters their final World Cup group match with three points from two games. They opened with a 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic but then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mexico. A positive result is essential for them to advance to the knockout stages.
Their recent international performances include three wins and two losses in their last five outings. In the World Cup 2026, they have a balanced record of two goals scored and two conceded. This suggests they need to elevate their game for progression.
The team benefits from no reported injuries. Midfielder Hwang In-beom has been key, contributing one goal and one assist. The attacking quality of Son Heung-min also provides a significant threat.
South Africa vs. South Korea Prediction: Backing the Favourites to Progress
South Africa’s recent form is concerning, with no wins in their last seven matches. Their World Cup attack struggles, suggesting a low-scoring game. "Under 2.5 goals" is a strong consideration.
South Korea, despite losing 1-0 to Mexico, displayed better overall quality, having beaten the Czech Republic. Considering South Africa’s attacking struggles, "Both Teams to Score – No" is a logical option.
Given the contrasting form and stakes, South Korea holds a clear advantage in this final match. Our primary prediction is for "South Korea to win" and secure their knockout stage qualification.
  | ||
| Best Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Under 2.5 goals in total | |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Both Teams to Score - No | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
| ||
| Best Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Under 2.5 goals in total | |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Both Teams to Score - No | |
Where to Watch South Africa vs. South Korea
Wondering where to watch South Africa vs. South Korea?
- TV: BBC Two (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC Sport app (GBR)
South Africa vs. South Korea Predicted Lineups
As this crucial World Cup 2026 group stage match approaches, both teams are finalising their strategies. The probable South Africa lineup points towards a balanced approach, aiming to establish control from the start of the game. On the other hand, the expected South Korea lineup will likely be structured to maximise their attacking potential. Examining these predicted starting XIs offers key insights into the tactical thinking for this encounter and how each side plans to secure a vital result.
South Africa
Williams; Modiba, Okon, Mudau, Mbokazi; Adams, Sithole, Mbatha; Rayners, Appollis, Maseko.
Manager: Hugo Broos.
South Korea
Seung-gyu; Gi-hyuk, Min-jae, Han-beom; Hwang, Paik, Seol, Moon-hwan, Jae-sung, Kang-in; Son.
Manager: Hong Myung-bo.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: South Africa vs. South Korea
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 25/06/2026
- Kick-off: 2 AM (BST)
- Venue: Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, México
- Broadcast: BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), BBC Two (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr)
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