South Korea face South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on Thursday 25 June 2026 in the final Group A match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both sides will be fighting for a place in the new round of 32 in one of the more unpredictable groups of the tournament.
What is the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the men’s world championship, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. It is the first expanded World Cup with 48 nations in 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides move into the round of 32 knockout stage.
When is South Korea vs South Africa?
The match kicks off on Thursday 25 June 2026 at 9:00pm ET (2:00am BST Friday). It is played simultaneously with co-hosts Mexico vs Czechia in Mexico City.
Where is South Korea vs South Africa?
Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico hosts the fixture. The 53,500-capacity home of Liga MX club Monterrey is one of three Mexican venues at the tournament alongside the Azteca and Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. Its compact, modern design and mountain backdrop have made it one of Mexico’s most admired stadiums.
Key Contenders
South Korea qualified comfortably through the AFC third round under Hong Myung-bo. The Taeguk Warriors remain built around Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, with a forward line boosted by European-based talent. A point should be enough to move South Korea into the knockout stage.
South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when they hosted the tournament. Bafana Bafana, guided by Hugo Broos, showed impressive form in AFCON 2023 before qualifying through CAF. Orlando Pirates midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Lyle Foster lead the side. The group remains open, with multiple qualification permutations possible going into matchday three.
How to Watch
In the UK, BBC and ITV share coverage of the 2026 World Cup. In the US, Fox carries matches in English with Telemundo in Spanish. South Korean viewers can watch via SBS, KBS or MBC, and South African audiences can watch on SABC and SuperSport across sub-Saharan Africa.
History and Records
South Korea and South Africa have never met at a FIFA World Cup. A handful of friendlies between the two have produced mixed results. South Korea’s best World Cup finish was fourth place as co-hosts in 2002. South Africa have never advanced beyond the group stage.
Tickets and Attendance
All tickets are sold through FIFA.com. Estadio BBVA group-stage tickets have been in strong demand from travelling fans. Hospitality is available via FIFA’s official hospitality partner, with resale running through the FIFA platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does South Korea vs South Africa start?
Thursday 25 June 2026 at 9:00pm ET (2:00am BST Friday).
Where is South Korea vs South Africa being held?
Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico.
How can I watch South Korea vs South Africa?
BBC or ITV in the UK, Fox or Telemundo in the US, SBS in South Korea, SABC in South Africa.
Have these teams met at a World Cup before?
No. This is their first meeting at a FIFA World Cup.