South Africa
South Africa have given themselves a chance of reaching the knock out stages of the 2026 world cup heading into the final group game. They started the tournament losing the opening game to co-hosts Mexico 2-0 at The Azteca and at that point they were odds against to qualify.
They didn’t help themselves in that opening game with the discipline letting them down badly, losing two men to red cards before wimpering to a limp defeat.
They did improve on Matchday 2 against Czechia coming away with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late penalty from Teboho Mokoena. They once again had fallen behind early on but showed great fight to get back into the game and leave themselves with a chance of going through.
Injuries & Team News
Mokoena will not be available for the final group game having received his second booking of the tournament against Czechia and misses out through suspension.
That means Bafana Bafana will have to find someone else to partner Thalante Mbatha in the middle of the park, better news for coach Hugo Broos is the return of Sphephelo Sithole who missed the Czechia game through suspension.
Themba Zwane again misses out as he serves the second of a three match ban following his sending off vs Mexico.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-1 vs Czechia | L D L D L D |
Predicted Line-Up
South Africa possible starting lineup:
Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mbatha, Sithole, Adams; Maseko, Appollis, Rayners
South Korea
Korea headed into the World Cup on a worrying run of form that had led to optimism being low. However they turned the form book on its head in the opening game where they came from behind to beat Czechia thanks to goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu.
They could have sewn up qualification on Matchday 2 but they faced a tough challenge against co-hosts Mexico and a goalkeeping error cost them dearly as they surrendered to a 1-0 defeat.
Their best performance at the world cup was finishing 4th in a home tournament back in 2002, other than that they have only ever reached the last 16.
Injuries & Team News
Coach Hong indicated he will alter two or three positions from his regular starting eleven, which could see captain Son Heung-min shifted out to the flank to spark a more dynamic attacking workflow.
Disciplinary tightropes also complicate selection, as key figures Lee Kang-in, Paik Seung-ho, and Lee Han-beom are all carrying yellow cards.
One more booking would rule them out of a potential Round of 32 clash. Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo is expected to protect the net, marshaled by Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae in a sturdy three-man defensive backline.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-1 vs Mexico | L L W W W L |
Predicted Line-Up
South Korea possible starting lineup:
S Kim; H Lee, M J Kim, G Lee; M H Kim, Hwang, Paik, Seol; K Lee, J Lee; Son
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa Win | 11/2 – (6.50) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 3/1 – (4.00) | Dream Vegas |
| South Korea Win | 13/20 – (1.65) | 247Bet |
Prediction
South Africa 0-2 South Korea
South Africa have shown they are up for the fight in this world cup but that might not be enough against a talented team like South Korea, the extra class will take its toll eventually.