No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Hwang In-Beom1 - 2Oh Hyeon-Gyu1
- 3
Teboho Mokoena1
- 1Son Heung-Min6
- 2Mbekezeli Mbokazi4
- 3Hwang In-Beom4
- 4Aubrey Modiba4
- 5Lee Kang-In3
- 6Thapelo Maseko3
- 7Evidence Makgopa2
- 8Oh Hyeon-Gyu2
- 9Teboho Mokoena2
- 10Lee Jae-Sung2
- 1Aubrey Modiba5
- 2Khuliso Mudau5
- 3Lee Jae-Sung3
- 4Mbekezeli Mbokazi2
- 5Eom Ji-Sung2
- 6Kim Min-Jae2
- 7Lee Gi-Hyuk2
- 8Ime Okon2
- 9Son Heung-Min1
- 10Thalente Mbatha1
- 1Hwang In-Beom1
- 2Lee Kang-In1
- 1Lee Kang-In6
- 2Teboho Mokoena6
- 3Lee Jae-Sung3
- 4Son Heung-Min2
- 5Kim Min-Jae2
- 6Lee Tae-Seok2
- 7Aubrey Modiba2
- 8Mbekezeli Mbokazi1
- 9Eom Ji-Sung1
- 10Hwang In-Beom1
- 1Kim Min-Jae142
- 2Lee Gi-Hyuk134
- 3Teboho Mokoena132
- 4Hwang In-Beom126
- 5Ime Okon125
- 6Lee Han-Beom107
- 7Paik Seung-Ho99
- 8Lee Kang-In87
- 9Mbekezeli Mbokazi79
- 10Khuliso Mudau77
- 1Lee Kang-In9
- 2Son Heung-Min3
- 3Hwang In-Beom2
- 4Oswin Appollis2
- 5Hwang Hee-Chan2
- 6Thapelo Maseko2
- 7Eom Ji-Sung1
- 8Kamogelo Sebelebele1
- 9Jayden Adams1
- 10Evidence Makgopa1
- 1Teboho Mokoena4
- 2Hwang In-Beom3
- 3Lee Gi-Hyuk3
- 4Khuliso Mudau3
- 5Kim Min-Jae2
- 6Mbekezeli Mbokazi1
- 7Thalente Mbatha1
- 8Kim Moon-Hwan1
- 9Jayden Adams1
- 10Yaya Sithole1
Attention turns to Group A in the early hours of 2am (UK time) on Thursday 25th June when South Africa lock horns with South Korea at the Estadio Monterrey in Mexico.
South Korea sit in second with three points after two games, while South Korea are fourth with one point on the board, meaning there’s all to play for in the battle to progress through to the knockout stages of World Cup 2026.
South Africa vs South Korea Predictions & Betting Tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both teams to receive 2+ cards | 7/4 @ bet365 (42.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | With so much at stake, things could get feisty in Mexico, making cards an appealing angle. South Africa have already shown a tendency to pick up bookings, receiving two red cards and two yellows against Mexico before collecting another two bookings in their draw with the Czech Republic. South Korea, meanwhile, were shown two yellow cards in their defeat to Mexico last time out. |
| Son Heung-min to score | 11/8 @ bet365 (36.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Son Heung-min has scored 56 goals for South Korea, just two behind Cha Bum-kun (58) in the country’s all-time charts. Son has been lively with six shots so far, albeit a tad wasteful. He now has an ideal opportunity to finally score this tournament in this all-important Group A clash. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into South Africa vs South Korea
South Korea
South Korea opened their campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Czech Republic, with Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu finding the back of the net. However, they were unable to build on that result, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their second group match.
That result confirmed Mexico as Group A winners and secured the co-hosts their place in the last-32, but the race for second spot remains open. South Korea currently occupy that prized position on three points, two clear of both Czech Republic in third and South Africa in fourth.
The task for South Korea is straightforward: avoid defeat against South Africa and they will qualify for the knockout stage as group runners-up. The Taegeuk Warriors could still finish third if they lose – and potentially progress as one of the best third-placed teams – but only if Czech Republic fail to beat winners Mexico, then they will be left waiting on results from other groups.
READ: Group A Permutations
South Africa
As for South Africa, they have never progressed out of the group stages and head into this must-win game winless in seven since December. A victory over South Korea would see them finish second in Group A, but only if the Czech Republic fail to beat Mexico.
If both South Africa and Czech Republic do win their final games they will both be on four points and it will come down to goal difference as to who finishes second.
A draw is unlikely to be enough for South Africa in the best third place finishers table, as it would mean they have only two points to their name.
South Africa team news
South Africa will be without Themba Zwane who is still suspended following his red card for a slap in the opening defeat to Mexico. Similarly, Teboho Mokoena is suspended after he received his second yellow card of the tournament in the draw against Czech Republic.
But, Sphephelo Sithole, who was also sent-off in the Mexico game, has served his suspension and will now be available for selection for Bafana Bafana.
South Korea team news
South Korea are unlikely to make many, if any, changes from their narrow 1-0 defeat to Mexico.
Skipper Son Heung-min (56 goals), who is two goals behind the country’s all-time scorer Cha Bum-kun (58), will be determined to get his name on the scoresheet for the first time this tournament after failing to score from any of his six shots to date.
Head-to-head
This will be the first ever meeting between South Africa and South Korea, who have never met in either a competitive match or international friendly.
Who will progress through to the last-32?
As discussed, Mexico have sewn up Group A, leaving the second automatic spot up for grabs, while third could also secure passage into the last-32.
South Korea are in the ascendancy with three points. They showed character and resilience to come back against the Czech Republic in their opening game and had more of the ball (57%) and more shots (nine) in their slender defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
The Taegeuk Warriors should edge a South African side who have yet to pick up a single win in 2026. We’re backing Son Heung-min to come alive at 11/8 with bet365 to score in Mexico.
We’re also backing both teams to receive 2+ cards at 7/4 with bet365. South Africa had two players sent off and two others booked in their defeat to Mexico, and had a further two yellows in the draw against the Czech Republic, while South Korea also received two yellows last time out against Mexico.
Read more:
