After defeats in their opening World Cup games, Czechia and South Africa need to pick up three points in Atlanta to boost their chances of reaching the knockouts.
Both teams were dire in their opening games, and their lack of attacking threat is why my Czechia vs. South Africa predictions are backing Under 2.5 goals.
Read on for my World Cup picks for Thursday, June 18, with kickoff at 12 p.m. ET on FOX.
Who will win Czechia vs South Africa: Czechia moneyline (-130)
Neither team played well in their opener, but at least the Czechs showed a level of organisation that should be sufficient to get the job done.
Miroslav Koubek’s team lost to a late South Korean goal, but it defended the box fairly well. Czechia surrendered 15 shots but limited the opposition to low-value attempts, and the Koreans only had an xG of 0.65.
The Czechs didn’t create many chances, but this is a game that should allow them more possession, meaning Patrik Schick should get more balls to feet, allowing him to get off shots.
On the flip side, you have South Africa, which had a truly chaotic, disorganised performance in their defeat to an unfancied Mexico team.
The lack of organisation was staggering, and that’s a tough fix. The gaps between the midfield and backline were too big, allowing Mexico to run at the heart of the defense. They struggle with players running at them in central positions, and Nkosinathi Sibisi in particular looked poor.
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TOp pick
Czechia vs South Africa Over/Under pick: Under 2.5 (-132)
South Africa's midfield struggles to take control of the ball and dictate tempo were disappointing in the team’s first game. Strikers Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams got barely any touches, and they showed no evidence of a game plan to score.
That’s bad news against a Czechia team that plays an effective, pragmatic brand of soccer.
Both teams finished the first game with an xG of under 1.0, and it’s hard to see a massive leap forward here.
The Czechs set up their first game to not lose, and their play is more defense-first oriented. They should have enough to overcome this South Africa team, but neither side has anybody who can effectively break the lines with their range of passing, and with defeat a nightmare scenario for both teams, we’ll probably see them play with an element of caution.
Czechia vs South Africa projected lineup
Czechia (5-2-2-1): Kovar; Coufal, Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci, Zeleny; Soucek, Sojka; Hlozek, Sulc; Schick.
South Africa (5-3-2-1): Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena, Adams; Foster, Rayners.
Czechia vs South Africa injuries
Czechia: None.
South Africa: Yaya Sithole CB (Out) Themba Zwane CM (Out), Aubrey Modiba LB (Questionable).
Czechia vs South Africa weather
Dome.
Czechia vs South Africa odds
| Czechia | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| -122 | Moneyline | +376 |
| +285 | Draw | +285 |
| Over 2.5 (+117) | Total | Under 2.5 (-122) |
Odds courtesy of Kalshi.
How to watch Czechia vs South Africa
Check out FIFA's official 2026 World Cup website for more information.
| Location | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Date | Thursday, June 18, 2026 |
| Time | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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