Live: Czechia, South Africa desperate to get on the board as World Cup continues

The second round of group stage matches begins with first round losers Czechia and South Africa facing off in Atlanta.

Then, it's Switzerland vs Bosnia Herzegovina, before co-hots Canada and Mexico host Qatar and South Korea respectively.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 2:02am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 2:02am

1' Early chance for Czechia

Czechia work the ball out wide on the left and work a ball into the penalty area.

Patrick Schick is waiting in the middle at the back post, but can't direct his header on target.

All Czechia in these opening exchanges.

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 2:01am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 2:01am

We're underway in Atlanta

By Henry Hanson

Both sides need a result today.

Czechia kicks us off, playing in red.

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:58am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:58am

Ivory Coast striker denied Canadian visa

By Henry Hanson

— with Reuters

Canadian authorities have denied entry to Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi for a World Cup clash with Germany on Saturday in Toronto.

The 23-year-old player reportedly is under investigation in a suspected match-fixing incident with his French club team that led to his arrest last month.

The Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) confirmed Thursday that Wahi will not travel with the team because "the necessary administrative authorizations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage."

Wahi started and played 55 minutes on Sunday in Ivory Coast's 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia in their Group E opener.

The Athletic reported Wednesday that French authorities are trying to establish whether Wahi deliberately earned a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz on May 17. He was arrested on May 29 but has not been charged with any crimes to date.

The FIF told The Associated Press on Thursday that it is standing by Wahi.

"During this particularly delicate period, the FIF offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him," the federation said. "Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team."

The prosecutor's office in Marseille confirmed there is an ongoing investigation that "concerns alleged offenses of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering."

The yellow card was Wahi's fifth of the Ligue 1 season, which earned him a suspension for the first leg of Nice's relegation playoff against Saint-Etienne on May 26. Nice drew 0-0 in that match, but Wahi scored two goals in the second leg in a 4-1 victory as Nice avoided relegation.

Ivory Coast's final Group E match is against Curacao on June 25 in Philadelphia. The African side is participating in its fourth World Cup (2016, 2010 and 2014) and has never advanced beyond the group stage.

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Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:57am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:57am

How Czechia lines up

By Henry Hanson

Plenty of European stars on show for Czechia today, but the big surprise is to see West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek drop to the bench.

Patrick Schick, of Bayer Leverkusen fame, leads the line.

Key Event

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:50am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:50am

How South Africa lines up

By Henry Hanson

Three changes for South Africa.

It looks to be a more attacking lineup, despite Burnley striker Lyle Foster dropping to the bench.

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:47am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:47am

How things look for Czechia and South Africa

By Henry Hanson

A quick refresher.

In the opening game of the tournament, South Africa went down 2-0 to Mexico and had two players sent off.

Fair to say things didn't quite go to plan for Bafana Bafana.

A few hours later, Czechia lost 2-1 to South Korea in a really entertaining match.

Czechia actually took the lead in that game through Ladislav Krejci, but were always second best in truth, with the Koreans putting in a professional, quite attractive 90 minutes of football.

So, all of this is to say, today's fixture is approaching must win territory for both Czechia and South Africa.

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Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:31am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1:31am

Hello!

By Henry Hanson

Good morning everyone and welcome to the first day of the second round of group stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

How time flies!

Today, we begin with two teams desperate to get on the board, with South Korea and Czechia facing off in Atlanta.

Then, at 5am AEST, we head to LA for Switzerland vs Bosnia. cohosts Canada face Qatar at 8am AEST in Vancouver, before the day's action is rounded out by what should be a very entertaining match between Mexico and South Korea 11am.

My name is Henry and I can't wait to guide you through all the action.

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