We’re set to learn the first qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup knockouts as the second stage of group play begins, with host nations Canada and Mexico in action.
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FULL 2026 WORLD CUP SCHEDULE WITH AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND DATES
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Czechia 1-1 South Africa
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Canada vs Qatar scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Mexico vs South Korea scores, stats and more
EXPLAINED: Why Socceroos already have one foot in World Cup knockout stage after epic opening game upset
World Cup schedule for Friday, 19 June 2026
Match 25 – Group A – Czechia drew with South Africa 1-1, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 26 – Group B – Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – 5am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 27 – Group B – Canada vs Qatar – 8am, BC Place, Vancouver
Match 28 – Group A – Mexico vs South Korea – 11am, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
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MATCHDAY 8 PREVIEW (via AFP)
Coach Hong Myung-bo on Wednesday (all dates US time) said a drone was spotted flying over South Korea’s training session before their eagerly awaited clash with World Cup co-hosts Mexico, calling the incident “unfortunate.”
Victory in South Korea’s match against Mexico in Guadalajara on Thursday would virtually guarantee progress to the knockout rounds, and put the winners in pole position to top Group A, which also contains South Africa and Czechia.
But the Taegeuk Warriors’ preparations on Tuesday were interrupted by the incident, which prompted fears of spying, with Korean news agency Yonhap reporting that the drone was brought down by Mexico’s military using radio signals.
“Yesterday during our training there was a drone in the sky, and we came to know about the fact. But fortunately it was right before we practised our tactics, so it did not impact us significantly,” said the coach.
“But, while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important timing. So, what happened was unfortunate,” he told a press conference.
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Drone flights have been banned over stadiums and facilities hosting World Cup matches and events in Mexico, as well as the United States.
Yonhap said a South Korea team security officer spotted the device, and a Mexican military drone-interdiction specialist stationed at the training camp brought it down by emitting radio signals.
Two men who were suspected to be the drone operators retrieved the crashed device and fled the scene.
The Korea Football Association has filed a report to FIFA and requested reassurances that there will not be a repeat.
Mexican federal authorities did not respond to an AFP request for comment, while officials in the state of Jalisco said they had no formal record of the incident.
Meanwhile, Korean coach Hong said he expected a challenging clash against Mexico, praising the opponents’ “creative” midfield and telling reporters he expected a vocal home crowd to play a role.
“We fully understand that it’s going to be a match with the home team, and we know that that’s going to give benefits to the home team,” he said.
“But my players have experienced such matches before, so it will be different tomorrow, and we need to control the rhythm and the flow of the match.”
Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament’s opening game last week, while South Korea came from behind to defeat Czechia 2-1.
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SOUTH AFRICA STAY ALIVE
Teboho Mokoena’s penalty kept South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.
Michal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.
But Mokoena’s late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance.
Both sides move onto one point, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off later on Thursday.
South Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.
“I think we deserved more today because we played a very good game,” said South Africa coach Hugo Broos.
“But if we go on like that, and if we can make another performance like today, I think we have a chance to go in the second round.” Both sides started with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, but the Czechs quickly set about making amends.
Patrik Schick is the biggest name in a Czech side lacking the star quality of previous generations but the Bayer Leverkusen forward missed a glorious chance inside the first minute when he planted a header wide.
Miroslav Koubek’s men only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead. Adam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the path of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball past Ronwen Williams.
Now in their fourth attempt, South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup.
Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking charge five years ago.
The 2010 hosts had not qualified for the World Cup since 2002 but finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Their return to the global stage has exposed a lack of quality, though, particularly in forward areas.
The Czechs were left to rue not making more of their chances to kill the game off early in the second half.
“We are sorry about the result because I think that looking at the chances, we were closer to victory but we were not able to score the second goal,” said Koubek.
“If we score the second goal, it would be the end of the match.”
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There were thousands of empty seats on show at the futuristic home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but those that were in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.
The majority of the crowd were backing South Africa and finally had something to cheer seven minutes from time.
Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unfortunate Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, part of an all-female officiating team, pointed to the spot.
Mokoena confidently drilled home the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup goal in 16 years.
They came close to a second five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.
But both sides had to settle for a point that could yet prove vital come the end of Wednesday’s final Group A games.