World Cup 2026: Czech Republic beat Guatemala in final warm-up before Bafana Bafana clash

The Czech Republic completed their preparations for the 2026 Fifa World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Guatemala in New Jersey on Thursday, less than two weeks before facing South Africa in the group stage.

Patrik Schick gave the Czechs an early lead, but Guatemala punished defensive uncertainty to draw level before half-time through William Fajardo.

Second-half goals from Tomáš Chorý and Denis Višinský eventually secured victory for Miroslav Koubek’s side, who will now turn their attention fully to the World Cup in North America.

The result gives the Czech Republic a second successive friendly win after their 2-1 victory over Kosovo on Sunday, but the performance also exposed defensive issues that South Africa will have noted ahead of their meeting on 18 June.

Bafana Bafana will face the Czechs in Atlanta in their second World Cup group match after opening their campaign against Mexico.

Bright start for Czechs

Koubek made several changes from the side that beat Kosovo, bringing back players who had been rested over the weekend.

The Czechs began with purpose and took the lead in the 11th minute after a well-worked move down the right.

Vladimír Coufal was involved at the start of the attack before the ball moved through Michal Sadílek and Pavel Šulc.

Schick then received possession, cut inside and curled a composed finish into the far corner.

It was the kind of sharp attacking move the Czech Republic will hope to reproduce at the World Cup, especially against opponents who give them space in wide areas.

But after taking control early, the Czechs allowed Guatemala to grow into the match.

Guatemala threaten on the break

Guatemala, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, caused problems with quick counter-attacks and direct running.

In the 20th minute, they almost equalised after breaking from a Czech corner.

José Rosales found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Matěj Kovář, but his effort went narrowly wide.

Jonathan Franco then had another chance before the half-hour mark, shooting straight at Kovář from a difficult angle.

The Czech defence continued to look uneasy.

A misunderstanding between Štěpán Chaloupek and Kovář almost proved costly when Chaloupek tried to guide the ball back to his goalkeeper with his chest, only for the pass to lack enough power.

Kovář reacted quickly to prevent the situation from becoming more serious, but the moment added to the sense that the Czechs were vulnerable when pressed or attacked directly.

Defensive mistake brings equaliser

Just when the Czech Republic appeared to be regaining control, Guatemala found their equaliser.

Tomáš Souček and David Jurásek had both been involved in promising Czech moments, but another defensive mistake changed the direction of the first half.

A poor pass from Ladislav Krejčí put his side under pressure, before another mix-up involving Kovář and Chaloupek left the Czech defence exposed.

There was confusion over whether the incident might lead to a penalty or a foul by Kovář outside the area, but play continued and Fajardo reacted quickest to put the ball into the net.

The goal sent the teams into half-time level at 1-1 and gave Koubek plenty to consider.

Second-half changes shift momentum

Koubek responded with four substitutions at the break as the Czech Republic tried to regain rhythm and authority.

The changes helped them settle.

Schick and Coufal were both involved in early second-half attacks, while Schick went close again in the 56th minute after a sustained spell of Czech possession around the Guatemala penalty area.

The pressure eventually paid off in the 72nd minute.

David Douděra delivered a dangerous cross into the box and Chorý rose to head the ball into the net, restoring the Czech Republic’s lead.

The goal reflected the Czechs’ improved control after the interval and their ability to create danger from wide deliveries.

Višinský seals victory

Guatemala offered little in attack for much of the second half, but they almost produced a surprise equaliser when Arquímides Ordóñez struck an effort that caused concern among the Czech defence and supporters.

The warning was brief.

Soon after, Guatemala goalkeeper Luis Moran, who had spent much of the match confidently playing out from the back, made a costly error.

His mistake allowed Denis Višinský to score his first international goal and make it 3-1.

The Czechs continued to push for a fourth goal, with Chorý and Darida both going close, but Guatemala avoided further damage.

World Cup focus turns to South Korea and South Africa

The Czech Republic will travel to Dallas on Friday, where they will be based during the World Cup.

They will then head to Guadalajara for their opening group match against South Korea on Thursday.

After that, attention will turn to South Africa.

Bafana Bafana meet the Czechs in Atlanta on 18 June in a match that could play a major role in shaping both teams’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

For the Czech Republic, the win over Guatemala was useful preparation and a confidence boost.

But the defensive mistakes will also serve as a warning.

Against South Africa, South Korea and Mexico, those errors could carry a far greater cost.