South Korea need only a draw with South Africa to stay in second; the Boks must win

Where the group stands

Mexico lead Group A on six points after beating South Africa 2-0 and South Korea 1-0, and are through. Behind them, South Korea sit second on three points with a goal difference of zero, Czechia are third on one, and South Africa are fourth on one. South Korea got their points by beating Czechia and lost only to the hosts; South Africa drew with Czechia and were beaten by Mexico.

What each side needs

A draw is enough for South Korea to finish second in the group; even a defeat would leave them in the third-place mix, though that route depends on results in other groups and is not guaranteed. South Africa have a narrower path: they must win to climb to four points, and then hope the third-place math falls their way. With Mexico already clear at the top, this match is effectively South Korea protecting second and South Africa chasing a lifeline.

For Japanese readers

For a Japan-based audience, this is the Asian side to track in the early Thursday window. Kickoff is 10:00 JST on June 25 from Monterrey, streaming on DAZN in Japan; check your route on the match page. Watch whether South Korea see the game out for a clean second-place finish, or whether South Africa force a result and push the group's final shape down to the third-place table.