FIFA World Cup 2026: South Africa stay alive after Teboho Mokoena denies Czechia with late equaliser

Both teams now ‌have a point after losing their respective opening games – two behind cohosts Mexico and South Korea, who face-off later on Thursday.

Neither side picked up a single point on Matchday 1, and with Mexico moving clear at the top of Group A and South Korea sitting second after their 2-1 victory over the Czechs, Thursday's clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta has become, bluntly, a knockout match in the group stage.

Defeated 2-0 by Mexico, they were seven minutes away from following that up with a 1-0 loss to the Czech Republic, left with no points, no goals and not much hope either.

Mexico, South Korea stay top as South Africa, Czechia held to 1-1 draw