The road to the knockout rounds begins in Group A, where hosts Mexico welcome South Korea, Czechia and South Africa in a section that blends tournament experience, historical pedigree and a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.
The group will launch the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Mexico face South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June, setting the tone for a tournament that spans three host nations and features a record 48 teams.
While Mexico enter as favourites on home soil, the battle for qualification appears far from straightforward. South Korea bring decades of consistency, Czechia arrive with a proud football heritage, and South Africa return eager to make up for lost time after a 24-year absence from the global stage.
Mexico
Few nations have become as synonymous with the FIFA World Cup as Mexico.
The hosts are preparing for their 18th appearance at the finals, extending a record of consistency that has made El Tri one of the tournament’s most familiar participants. Yet despite their regular presence, the ultimate prize has remained elusive.
Mexico’s best World Cup performances came on home soil, reaching the quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1986. As they become the first nation to host the tournament three times, hopes are growing that familiar surroundings can inspire another memorable campaign.
Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa remains part of the squad, while striker Santiago Gimenez and experienced forward Raul Jimenez are expected to carry much of the attacking responsibility. The team is guided by Javier Aguirre, who returns to the World Cup stage with the responsibility of leading the hosts through the pressure and expectation that accompany every tournament on home soil.
Manager: Javier Aguirre
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo, Guillermo Ochoa, Raul Rangel
Defenders: Edson Alvarez, Israel Reyes, Jesus Gallardo, Johan Vasquez, Jorge Sanchez, Mateo Chavez
Midfielders: Alvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutierrez, Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, Luis Romo, Obed Vargas, Orbelin Pineda
Forwards: Alexis Vega, Armando Gonzalez, César Huerta, Guillermo Martinez, Julian Quinones, Raul Jimenez, Santiago Gimenez
World Cup record: Played 60 | Won 17 | Drawn 15 | Lost 28 | Goals 62–101
South Korea
Consistency has long been South Korea’s greatest strength.
The Taeguk Warriors have qualified for every World Cup since 1986, making this their 11th consecutive appearance a record unmatched by any other Asian nation.
Their historic fourth-place finish in 2002 remains the benchmark for Asian football at the World Cup, but South Korea have continued to establish themselves as regular competitors capable of troubling the world’s elite.
Captain Son Heung-min remains the team’s biggest star, supported by a talented generation that includes Kang-in Lee, Hwang Hee-chan and defensive leader Kim Min-jae. Under Myung-Bo Hong, South Korea arrive with a squad that blends experience and technical quality, making them one of the most dangerous sides in the group.
Manager: Myung-Bo Hong
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Hyeon-Woo Jo, Seung-Gyu Kim, Bum-Keun Song
Defenders: Moon-Hwan Kim, Min-Jae Kim, Tae-Hyon Kim, Jin-Seob Park, Young-Woo Seol, Jens Castrop, Ki-Hyuk Lee, Tae-Seok Lee, Han-Beom Lee, Yu-Min Cho
Midfielders: Jin-Gyu Kim, Jun-Ho Bae, Seung-Ho Paik, Hyun-Jun Yang, Ji-Sung Eom, Kang-In Lee, Dong-Gyeong Lee, Jae-Sung Lee, In-Beom Hwang, Hee-Chan Hwang
Forwards: Heung-Min Son, Hyeon-Gyu Oh, Gue-Sung Cho
World Cup record: Played 38 | Won 8 | Drawn 10 | Lost 21 | Goals 41–81
Czechia
Although this is only Czechia’s second World Cup appearance as an independent nation, their football history stretches much further.
The legacy of former Czechoslovakia includes appearances in the 1934 and 1962 World Cup finals, achievements that continue to underline the nation’s rich football tradition.
Recent years have produced mixed results, but Czechia remain a disciplined and well-organised side capable of frustrating more fancied opponents. Captain Tomas Soucek provides leadership in midfield, while striker Patrik Schick remains the team’s primary attacking threat.
With experience throughout the squad and a reputation for tactical discipline, Czechia could emerge as one of the tournament’s most difficult teams to break down.
Manager: Miroslav Koubek
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek, Matej Kovar, Jindrich Stanek
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, David Doudera, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Stepan Chaloupek, David Jurasek, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny, David Zima
Midfielders: Lukas Cerv, Vladimir Darida, Lukas Provod, Michal Sadilek, Hugo Sochůrek, Alexandr Sojka, Tomas Soucek, Pavel Sulc, Denis Visinsky
Forwards: Adam Hlozek, Tomas Chory, Mojmir Chytil, Jan Kuchta, Patrik Schick
All-time World Cup record (Czechoslovakia and Czechia): Played 32 | Won 12 | Drawn 5 | Lost 15 | Goals 42–48
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South Africa
For South Africa, the journey back to the World Cup has been more than two decades in the making.
Bafana Bafana return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 and will compete at the finals for only the fourth time in their history.
Their qualification marks the end of a 24-year wait, having last earned a World Cup place through the qualifying process in 2002.
Guided by Hugo Broos, South Africa arrive with renewed belief after significant progress in recent years. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has emerged as one of Africa’s most respected shot stoppers, while players such as Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster and rising star Relebohile Mofokeng provide a blend of experience and youthful energy.
Having spent years watching from afar, South Africa now have an opportunity to write a new chapter on the global stage.
Manager: Hugo Broos
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Samukele Kabini, Khulumani Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Bradley Cross, Olwethy Makhanya
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams
Forwards: Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster, Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thapelo Maseko, Tshepang Moremi
Going forward, I’ll keep the full squad lists intact under each team profile while maintaining our narrative-driven World Cup preview style.
World Cup record: Played 9 | Won 2 | Drawn 4 | Lost 3 | Goals 11–16
Fixtures
- 11 June 2026 – Mexico vs South Africa (Mexico City)
- 12 June 2026 – South Korea vs Czechia (Guadalajara)
- 18 June 2026 – Czechia vs South Africa (Atlanta)
- 19 June 2026 – Mexico vs South Korea (Guadalajara)
- 25 June 2026 – Czechia vs Mexico (Mexico City)
- 25 June 2026 – South Africa vs South Korea (Monterrey)
Key group facts
- Mexico become the first nation to host the FIFA World Cup on three occasions.
- South Korea have qualified for 11 consecutive World Cups.
- Czechia are making only their second appearance as an independent nation.
- South Africa return to the finals after a 24-year absence.
- The opening match of the entire tournament will be played between Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca.
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Home advantage gives Mexico a slight edge in the race for top spot, but Group A appears one of the more balanced sections in the tournament.
South Korea possesses the experience and individual quality to challenge for first place, while Czechia’s organization and tournament pedigree make them dangerous opponents. South Africa, meanwhile, arrive carrying the momentum of a long-awaited return and the freedom that often makes underdogs difficult to predict.
Rather than a group dominated by one team, this could be a section decided by fine margins, where a single result may ultimately determine who advances to the knockout rounds.
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