In one of the most iconic stadiums ever built, under a blazing afternoon sun, the 2026 World Cup will kick off as Mexico faces South Africa. For many fans, the justified criticisms of an expanded format, price gouging, and political maneuvering may momentarily vanish at the first sight of the Azteca on their screens.
Group A Overview
The co-hosts, on paper, should find this group manageable, but the pressing question is how they will handle the immense pressure. A victory on opening day against the least-fancied team in the quartet seems essential. The clash between Czech Republic, who qualified through a gritty playoff run, and South Korea could effectively decide which team finishes second. Among the dozen groups, this one offers more balance than most.
Fixtures (All times BST)
- Thursday 11 June, 20:00: Mexico vs South Africa – Mexico City
- Friday 12 June, 03:00: Korea Republic vs Czech Republic – Guadalajara
- Thursday 18 June, 17:00: Czech Republic vs South Africa – Atlanta
- Friday 19 June, 02:00: Mexico vs Korea Republic – Guadalajara
- Thursday 25 June, 02:00: Czech Republic vs Mexico – Mexico City
- Thursday 25 June, 02:00: South Africa vs Korea Republic – Monterrey
Mexico
Automatically qualified as hosts, this will be El Tri's 18th World Cup appearance. They have realistic hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for the third time, and the first since 1986, when they last hosted. Led by Javier Aguirre in his third spell, Mexico is determined to bounce back after a nightmare start to the decade. They failed to escape the group stage in Qatar on goal difference, conceding a 95th-minute equalizer against Saudi Arabia. They also lost several CONCACAF finals to the United States before reclaiming the Gold Cup in 2023 and retaining it in 2025. Aguirre, whose previous teams exited in the round of 16 in 2002 and 2010, was reappointed in July 2024. He has reverted to a more chaotic tactical approach after the possession-based style under Gerardo Martino failed to deliver.
Squad
To be confirmed.
Coach
Javier Aguirre
Star Player – Raul Jimenez (Fulham)
The veteran centre-forward heads into his fourth World Cup, and he might finally start a match. In 2014, he made a six-minute cameo against Brazil. Four years later, he had two brief substitute appearances. In Qatar, he came off the bench in all three group games as Mexico failed to progress. On home soil, after a steady season at Fulham, the time seems right for Jimenez to take centre stage. He is by far the biggest name in the squad, and with over 120 caps and nearly 50 international goals, much depends on his form.
Breakout Talent – Gilberto Mora (Tijuana)
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to play a role and attract scouts with his flair. He has broken several age records previously held by Lamine Yamal and Pele, including becoming the youngest player to win a senior international cap at 16 years and 265 days. Once he turns 18, he is set to move to Europe. Aguirre has not downplayed the hype, saying, "He's surely on the radar of several huge clubs around the world."
FIFA Ranking: 15
Odds to Win World Cup: 66/1
South Africa
Back on the biggest stage for the first time since hosting in 2010, South Africa hopes to recreate the magic of that opening fixture. They entered the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with high expectations but lost 2-1 to Cameroon in the round of 16. Their World Cup qualification was jeopardized after being docked three points when midfielder Teboho Mokoena mistakenly played in a qualifier despite a suspension for yellow card accumulation. Burnley forward Lyle Foster may be the only familiar name to UK fans, but the team's strength lies in familiarity. Eight squad members play for Mamelodi Sundowns, the dominant domestic side that had won eight consecutive titles before Orlando Pirates edged them this season. Eight Pirates are also in the squad. Head coach Hugo Broos, 74, is not setting lofty expectations: "We're going to do our best, but I don't think anyone will blame us if we don't make it out of the group."
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)
Coach
Hugo Broos
Star Player – Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
South Africa's captain and goalkeeper gained attention at the 2025 Club World Cup for being the first penalized for holding the ball too long. He is also a penalty-saving specialist; in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, he saved four spot-kicks from Cape Verde, earning global acclaim. While a shootout in the knockout stages is unlikely, his presence is crucial for the underdogs.
Breakout Talent – Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
The 20-year-old centre-back overcame a difficult adjustment period to become one of MLS's most reliable defenders. Nicknamed TLB (Tractor, Loader, Backhoe) for his physicality, Mbokazi stands at 5'10" but is stocky and comfortable playing out from the back. He said, "Our aim is to get a win, and it's going to call us to be unified as a team."
FIFA Ranking: 60
Odds to Win World Cup: 1000/1
South Korea
Entering their 11th consecutive World Cup, South Korea appears to be in a rut. Since finishing fourth as co-hosts in 2002, they have alternated between group-stage exits and last-16 defeats. Success this summer would be winning a knockout match. To do so, Hong Myung-Bo, the 2002 captain now in a mediocre second spell as head coach since 2024, must inject more personality into a team still reliant on Son Heung-min, who turns 34 during the tournament. Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), and Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic) provide a British club contingent, while PSG's Lee Kang-in must contribute in midfield. Defensive concerns persist, though Hong has experimented. A 4-0 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast and a 1-0 loss to Austria in March, both using a three-man defence, frustrated fans. A four-man backline will be deployed here.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)
Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Tae-hyon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Cho Yu-min (Sharjah)
Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)
Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)
Coach
Hong Myung-bo
Star Player – Son Heung-min (LAFC)
Entering his fourth World Cup, the former Tottenham star is within reach of several records, including becoming his country's all-time top scorer and Asia's leading World Cup scorer. But his primary goal is leading the team out of the group and finally winning a knockout match.
Breakout Talent – Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Born in Dusseldorf, Castrop played for Germany at all youth levels before switching to his mother's nation in 2025. He has played mostly in midfield for Monchengladbach but is expected to fill in at left-back due to a shortage of options.
FIFA Ranking: 25
Odds to Win World Cup: 500/1
Czech Republic
The Czechs entered the playoffs in disarray but arrive with a newfound resilience. Miroslav Koubek, 74, was appointed after a dire group campaign that saw Tomas Soucek stripped of the captaincy due to a fan dispute. They started poorly against Ireland in the semi-final, trailing 2-0 before being gifted a penalty, and eventually won on penalties. The final against Denmark saw the Danes dominate, but again the Czechs prevailed in a shootout. From an unlikely position, they have developed a stubbornness that compensates for a lack of coherent attacking football. This squad is packed with familiar names, many of whom have been around for years. While they have qualified for all eight European Championships since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, this is only their second World Cup. Their 2006 campaign ended in the group stage. Reaching the knockout rounds would be progress for a team whose qualification seemed doubtful more than once.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (TSG Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (TSG Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Lyon), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)
Forwards: Adam Hlozek (TSG Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Coach
Miroslav Koubek
Star Player – Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
The attack relies on the 30-year-old, who averages nearly a goal every two caps and is remembered for his long-range strike against Scotland at Euro 2020. Tomas Chory struggled when leading the line against Ireland in March, with Schick playing behind him. Koubek is unlikely to persist with that system. Schick scored 16 Bundesliga goals as Leverkusen faded to sixth.
Breakout Talent – Ladislav Krejci (Wolves)
In a squad full of veterans, Krejci stands out. One of the bright spots for relegated Wolves, he captained the side when Soucek was demoted in March and was vital in the comeback against Ireland. His loan from Girona is expected to be made permanent despite Wolves' relegation, and a strong World Cup could prove he belongs in the top tier.
FIFA Ranking: 40
Odds to Win World Cup: 300/1
Prediction
Mexico should progress with relative ease, unless the pressure of hosting becomes overwhelming. Beyond that, there is genuine intrigue. The race for second place is a toss-up between Czech Republic and South Korea, with their opening match in Guadalajara likely decisive. South Africa may not be heavily beaten in any game but lack the attacking firepower to reach the last 32.
