The FIFA World Cup 2026 has started and the Group A consists of co-hosts Mexico. El Tri are along with South Africa, Czechia and South Korea as it promises to be an exciting group.
All matches of this group will be played in Mexico, as Mexico and South Africa aso kickoff the World Cup at the Estadio Azteca.
World Cup 2026 Group A Preview
Mexico • South Africa • South Korea • Czechia
June 11 – June 24, 2026
Preview & Analysis
Group A promises to be one of the most intriguing and competitive groups of the tournament. Co-hosts Mexico enter as clear favorites, benefiting from passionate home support, familiar high-altitude venues, and a deep squad blending European experience with domestic talent.
South Korea, led by the legendary Son Heung-min, bring technical quality, counter-attacking speed, and Premier League-proven stars. They are expected to challenge strongly for a top-two finish.
Czechia (formerly Czech Republic) offer physicality, set-piece threat, and Bundesliga/Premier League experience with players like Patrik Schick and Tomáš Souček. They could be dangerous dark horses.
South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Bafana Bafana are well-organized under Hugo Broos, dangerous on the break, and will look to cause upsets with their athleticism and team spirit.
World Cup 2026 Group A Match Schedule
June 11, 2026
June 18, 2026
Czechia vs South Africa – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (12:00 local)
Mexico vs South Korea – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (21:00 local)
June 24, 2026
Czechia vs Mexico – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
South Africa vs South Korea – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
World Cup 2026 Group A Points Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | South Korea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Czechia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
**The Points Table updated after South Korea vs Czechia
WC 2026 Group A Teams & Squads
Mexico (Coach: Javier Aguirre)
Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol, veteran).
Defenders: Israel Reyes (América), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chávez (AZ).
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez (captain, Fenerbahçe), Érik Lira (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Brian Gutiérrez (Guadalajara).
Forwards: Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), Santiago Giménez (Milan), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), César Huerta (Anderlecht), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Armando González (Guadalajara).
South Korea (Coach: Hong Myung-bo)
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD).
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), others including Kim Moon-hwan, Park Jin-seob.
Midfielders: Son Heung-min (captain, LAFC), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05), Lee Kang-in (PSG), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City).
Forwards: Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş), others.
South Africa (Coach: Hugo Broos)
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (captain, Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss.
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), others.
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns, key anchor), Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams, Thalente Mbatha.
Forwards: Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Evidence Makgopa (Pirates), Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng.
Czechia (Coach: Miroslav Koubek)
Goalkeepers: Matěj Kovář (PSV Eindhoven), Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Prague), Lukáš Horníček (Braga).
Defenders: Vladimír Coufal (Hoffenheim), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranáč (Hoffenheim), Ladislav Krejčí (captain, Wolves), David Zima (Slavia Prague), others.
Midfielders: Tomáš Souček (West Ham), Lukáš Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadílek (Slavia Prague), Vladimír Darida.
Forwards: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Mojmír Chytil, Pavel Šulc (Lyon).
Story first published: Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:15 [IST]
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