Czechia Vs South Africa, FIFA World Cup 2026 In Pics: See Best Photos From Atlanta Stadium
Czechia Vs South Africa Live Gallery: The Czech Republic face South Africa in a Group A clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Atlanta Stadium/Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, June 18, with both sides aiming to recover from disappointing opening-day defeats. 'Repre' made their return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence but were edged out 2-1 by South Korea despite taking the lead through Ladislav Krejci. Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana endured a chaotic start to their campaign, suffering a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico after being reduced to nine players in a match marred by disciplinary setbacks. With another defeat likely to leave their knockout-stage hopes in serious trouble, both the Czech Republic and South Africa will be determined to claim a crucial victory and revive their Group A campaigns. See the best photos from the CZE vs RSA football match.
South Africa supporters cheer for their national team before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
A supporter of Czechia holds a flag of his country before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Referee Tori Penso jogs flanked by assistant referees Kathryn Nesbitt, left, and Brooke Mayo during warmup before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Teams warm up before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke walks the pitch during a training session ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Martin Meissner
Czechia's and South Africa's flags are seen on the pitch before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Colin Hubbard
Czechia players pose before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
South Africa team pose before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Czechia's team captain Ladislav Krejci holds a pennant reading "We Play Together. We Stand Against Hate" as the Czechia players pose before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
South Africa's Mbekezeli Mbokazi heads the ball above Czechia's Patrik Schick during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Michal Sadilek scores the opening goal for his team during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Aubrey Modiba retrieves the ball from the net after Czechia's Michal Sadilek scored during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Czechia players celebrate the opening goal of their team during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Oswin Appollis, left, passes the ball as Czechia's Patrik Schick looks on during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko falls to the ground in front of Czechia's Ladislav Krejci during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Ime Okon, left, South Africa's Khuliso Mudau, right, and Czechia's Patrik Schick jump for the ball during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Referee Tori Penso, of the United States, speaks to South Africa's Iqraam Rayners during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia head coach Miroslav Koubek watches the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Referee Tori Penso, right, shakes hands with assistant referees Kathryn Nesbitt, left, and Brooke Mayo, during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Vladimir Darida shields the ball from South Africa's Oswin Appollis during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Lukas Cerv (12) reacts during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Colin Hubbard
Referee Tori Penso, of the United States, speaks to Czechia's team captain Ladislav Krejci during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Adam Hlozek, left, takes a free kick during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko (12) shoots during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Colin Hubbard
Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar (1) dives onto rebound during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Patrik Schick falls to the ground in a clash with South Africa's Teboho Mokoena, left, during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Vladimir Darida (8) and South Africa's Thalente Mbatha (5) fight for the ball during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Colin Hubbard
South Africa's Aubrey Modiba kicks the ball next to Czechia's Vladimir Coufal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Czechia's Patrik Schick controls the ball during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Referee Tori Penso, center, talks with Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar as South Africa's Khuliso Mudau lies on the ground during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Referee Tori Penso during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Referee Tori Penso, speaks to South Africa's Teboho Mokoena (4) during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Czechia's Tomas Holes, top, heads the ball as South Africa's Oswin Appollis looks on during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Czechia's Ladislav Krejci, right, stops South Africa's Khuliso Mudau during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Spectators watch the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena, left, passes the ball as Czechia's Pavel Sulc tries to stop him during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
Czechia's Tomas Soucek, background, stops South Africa's Teboho Mokoena during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena scores a penalty, his side's first goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a penalty, his side's first goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
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