Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group A
South Africavs
Korea Republic
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 · 9:00 p.m. ET · Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA), Guadalupe (Monterrey)
Watch: FS1 · Universo
My pick: Korea Republic win · locked 2026-06-23 12:36 UTCPrediction
South Korea to edge a high-stakes finale. Korea sit second on three points and know a draw would likely be enough to secure a top-two finish, while South Africa, on a single point, almost certainly need to win. Hong Myung-bo is expected to restore Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung alongside Lee Kang-in, giving Korea the more dangerous attacking unit, and Bafana Bafana lose suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena. With more proven quality going forward, Korea have the edge in Monterrey, though South Africa's need to chase keeps it close. 2-1 South Korea.
The case for South Africa
30% to winSouth Africa welcome Sithole back from suspension and have shown grit, snatching a late equaliser against Czechia. Knowing only a win will do, Hugo Broos's side can throw bodies forward with Appollis and Rayners stretching the play, and against a Korea team that may settle for a point, that urgency could be decisive in front of goal.
The case for Korea Republic
40% to winSouth Korea have the standout individuals in this group, with Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung all expected to start and Kim Min-jae marshalling the defence. A point likely guarantees a top-two finish, so Korea can play with control and pick their moments. Their superior attacking quality should be enough to see off a South Africa side missing Mokoena.
Both cases written 2026-06-23, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 30% belongs to the draw.
South Africa 4-3-33-4-2-1 Korea RepublicThe briefing
Storylines
- South Korea (three points) need only a draw to likely secure a top-two finish; South Africa (one point) almost certainly must win.
- South Africa lose Teboho Mokoena to suspension after a second yellow against Czechia, but welcome Sphephelo Sithole back.
- Hong Myung-bo is expected to restore Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung after withdrawing both in the loss to Mexico.
- Played in the heat at the open-air Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
The coaches
Hugo Broos South Africa
Belgian coach who led South Africa back to the World Cup; favours an energetic, possession-minded side with pace out wide.
Hong Myung-bo Korea Republic
Former Korea captain back as head coach; builds around Son Heung-min and the creativity of Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung.
Availability
| Teboho Mokoena | Out — suspended after picking up his second yellow of the tournament against Czechia | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
| Sphephelo Sithole | Available — returns from a one-match suspension into the midfield | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
| Themba Zwane | Out — still serving a suspension for violent conduct in the opener against Mexico | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
| Son Heung-min | Available — expected to start despite being withdrawn against Mexico | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Universo in Spanish (stream on Peacock). (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-23)
Weather: Hot evening in Monterrey at the open-air Estadio BBVA, around the mid-90s Fahrenheit and typical of late June. (SMN-Conagua seasonal climatology, as of 2026-06-23)
Venue: Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA), Guadalupe (Monterrey), Mexico — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.
