Czechia and South Africa both lost their 2026 World Cup openers and needed points out of this match. Recap live updates, score, stats and highlights.

We all knew it would eventually come to this. On Thursday in Atlanta, the world witnessed the worst football match of this World Cup. The Czech Republic’s goal right out of the gates fooled everyone into thinking that the match would be a goal fest. After all, both teams were obligated to win after opening-round defeats.

SportsLine's Martin Green reveals his Czechia vs. South Africa best bets for their FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Thursday

On Thursday, South Africa held its breath at the World Cup. Then, it found its voice with one defining Teboho Mokoena penalty kick.

The 25th game of the 2026 World Cup gets the second round of group stage games underway.

A full guide to the South Africa national team at the 2026 World Cup, with club teams for all 26 players on the squad at the tournament.

With both national teams seeking their first points of the tournament, another storyline has also emerged around Tori Penso, whose appointment for the match has attracted significant attention. The pressure is already mounting ahead of a crucial Group A showdown between Czechia and South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.

The Czechs rebound with a low-scoring win in our Czechia vs. South Africa predictions and World Cup picks on Thursday, June 18.

Czechia and South Africa face off in a crucial match on June 18 and the head referee is the second woman to officiate a men’s World Cup game. Going head-to-head on Thursday, a second defeat would leave either Czechia or South Africa’s knockout-stage ...

USA face Australia as Brazil seek their first win, while Canada awaits injury news on Ismael Kone and Mexico celebrate.