South Africa vs South Korea: A Fight for the Last Group A Spot

Predictions

South Korea need only a draw to go through, and a tight win is the call from OneFootball, Juvefc and Yahoo Sports, with Son Heung-min their pick to score.

South Africa must win, so they will pour bodies forward and hope for the best.

• Our prediction: South Korea win 2-0, with their better players doing the job.
• OneFootball: a South Korea win, with under 2.5 goals and Son Heung-min to score.
• Juvefc: a South Korea win, with under 2.5 goals and Son Heung-min to score.
• Yahoo Sports: a South Korea win, with under 2.5 goals and Son Heung-min to score.

South Korea hold the cards going into the final day

This is the last game of Group A, and the picture could hardly look better for South Korea.

South Korea sit at the 2nd place of their group with 3 points, and a draw is all they need to go through.

They got there by beating Czech Republic 2-1 in a lively opener.

Then they lost 0-1 to Mexico, which still left them in a strong spot.

Because Mexico have already won the group, second place is the prize here, and that point would lock it up.

So South Korea can play it smart, sit a little deeper, and let South Africa take the risks.

Why must South Africa win this one?

South Africa are 58th in the FIFA rankings, and they are at the bottom of the group with only 1 point.

They opened with a 0-2 loss to Mexico.

Then they drew 1-1 with Czech Republic, which kept the smallest flame alive.

Now a win is the only thing that gives them any hope of going through.

Their big problem is simple, because they have scored just 1 goal in 2 games.

To beat a sharper South Korea side they will need a much braver night in front of the goal and that is a lot to ask for.

Why are South Korea the favorites?

South Korea are 23rd in the FIFA rankings, and they have a long, proud World Cup history.

They have reached 12 World Cups, and back in 2002 they went all the way to the semifinals.

The man who makes them tick is their captain, the forward Son Heung-min, one of the best attackers in the world.

He has around 56 goals for his country, so he can win a game on his own at any moment.

The bookmakers see one likely winner, with South Korea priced at about -155, which is roughly a 61% chance to win.

South Africa sit way out at about +500, and the draw is about +300, so the market is leaning hard one way.

Can South Africa pull off the shock?

South Africa are the clear underdogs here, and the numbers say the same.

But a team that has to win can play with a freedom that is hard to handle.

Their main spark is the attacker Percy Tau, who can make something out of nothing.

Behind him their captain is the goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who can keep them in any game with a big save or two.

Coach Molefi Ntseki will want his team flying forward from the first whistle.

If Tau finds his best form and Williams stays strong, South Africa really do have a chance to create a surprise.

Our call: South Korea 2-0

We are going with South Korea 2-0.

South Korea have the better players, the calmer heads, and the easier task on the night.

We think Son Heung-min and his teammates find a way through a South African defense that has to gamble.

Still, do not write South Africa off straight away.

A team chasing a last chance can make life hard for anyone for long parts of the game.

So we back South Korea to win, but we would not be stunned if South Africa make them work for it.

How the Group A race stands

Mexico are out in front on 6 points, with South Korea on 3, and South Africa and Czech Republic both on 1.

Finish in the top 2 of the group and you reach the last 32, and a few of the best 3rd-place teams from across all groups slip in as well.

Mexico already have first place, so this game is all about who grabs the second spot.

Both final Group A games start at the exact same time, this one and Czech Republic vs Mexico.

So everyone will be watching two scoreboards at once, and the second spot could swing at any moment.

Where and when can you watch?

The game is on Wednesday June 24, 2026, at Estadio BBVA near Monterrey in Mexico.

Kickoff is 19:00 (7:00 PM) Central time.

You can also see all the details on the match page.

Need a seat for it? Take a look at our World Cup tickets guide.