South Korea began its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Group A. The match saw a dramatic shift in momentum as South Korea secured the win in the final thirty minutes. Hwang In-beom played a pivotal role in orchestrating the comeback for his team. This result marks a successful debut for South Korea in the qualifying tournament. The Czech Republic initially led, but were unable to maintain their advantage against a determined South Korean side. The win places South Korea at the top of Group A after the first matchday. This unexpected result sets the stage for an intriguing competition within the group.