World Cup Group A Preview: Teams, fixtures, key players & odds

Adrian Bishop Published: 1 hour ago

Group A at the 2026 World Cup will see one of three co-hosts in action as Mexico look to progress beyond the group stage on home soil for a third time.

The hosts are the favourites to top their group, but they will face stiff competition from South Korea with Czechia and South Africa capable of upsetting the odds.

Teams

Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
Czechia

Fixtures

Date	Fixture	Kick-off (BST)	Stadium
11th June	Mexico v South Africa	20:00	Estadio Azteca
12th June	South Korea v Czechia	03:00	Estadio Akron
18th June	Czechia v South Africa	17:00	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
19th June	Mexico v South Korea	02:00	Estadio Akron
25th June	Czechia v Mexico	02:00	Estadio Azteca
25th June	South Africa v South Korea	02:00	Estadio BBVA

Mexico

Mexico secured an automatic berth to the World Cup as one of the three co-hosts, marking their 18th appearance at the finals, the most of any CONCACAF country.

El Tri have completed multiple friendlies in 2026 in preparation for the tournament and are currently in the midst of a remarkable run of form, going unbeaten across eight games in 2026.

Manager

Javier Aguirre

A veteran manager with extensive experience at both club and international level, Javier Aguirre was entrusted with leading Mexico at the World Cup and returned for a third stint in charge of his native country in July 2024. Since taking charge the 67-year-old has led Mexico to their first Nations League title in March 2025 before following that up by winning the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Aguirre usually employs an high press when his team are off the ball, a technique that could prove particularly effective at wearing opponents out with all three of Mexico's games being at altitude.

Key Player

Raul Jimenez

At 35, this summer could mark Raul Jimenez's final appearance at a World Cup but the Fulham striker remains integral for his country. Mexico's third all-time record goalscorer with 45 goals from his 124 caps, Jimenez has demonstrated an ability to step up in the biggest moments.

After Mexico fell behind early in last year's Gold Cup final, Jimenez produced the all-important goal to put them back on level terms against the United States before captain Edson Alvarez netted the winner.

Breakout player

Gilberto Mora

The youngest player to be named in a squad at this summer's tournament, Gilberto Mora has been burdened with the weight of expectations with Mexico currently experiencing a relative drought when it comes to producing elite talents.

Still several months away from his 18th birthday, Mora has already accrued eight senior caps for his country and will be hoping to add to that tally on the biggest stage in the sport.

Odds

To win group – 8/11
To qualify – 1/10

While this is not a classic Mexico side, they have a favourable draw and should have what it takes to get the results needed to progress.

In both 1970 and 1986 they managed to reach the quarter-finals on home soil, and equalling such a feat will likely be a difficult proposition for a team that appear to be in a transition period.

South Africa

For the first time since they made history by hosting the tournament in 2010, South Africa are back in the World Cup finals. After failing to qualify for the last three tournaments they enjoyed a resounding run leading into this summer, topping Group C of CAF qualifying to claim an automatic place.

Manager

Hugo Broos

After more than five years in charge of the team, the 2026 World Cup will mark the final hurrah for Hugo Broos, not just for South Africa, but for his managerial career as a whole.

The former Belgian international has been credited with transforming the national set up during his time in charge, and will look to replicate the success he enjoyed as a player in Mexico '86 as they finished fourth.

Key player

Lyle Foster

After a difficult Premier League season that saw Burnley ultimately suffer relegation on their return to the Premier League, Lyle Foster will be determined to make a statement in his first World Cup.

Foster netted twice at the Africa Cup of Nations in December and he will need to at his best over the coming weeks if Bafana Bafana are to progress beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.

Breakout player

Relebohile Mofokeng

Relebohile Mofokeng enters the World Cup off the back of a remarkable club campaign that saw him play a pivotal role for Orlando Pirates as they claimed a first league title since 2011-12.

The 21-year-old is already being touted as the future of South African football and enters the tournament this summer with nine senior caps to his name.

Odds

To win group – 12/1
To qualify – 6/5

When it comes to Group A South Africa are the rank outsiders. Named as the 60th best team in the latest world rankings Bafana Bafana are among the lowest-ranked teams to feature this summer, and they will likely need to get off to a positive start if they to avoid finishing bottom. Still, there are reasons to be optimistic for the future, and they are capable of springing a surprise to reach the knockout stages.

South Korea

After booking their place in North America with an unbeaten qualifying run expectations will be high for South Korea this summer. The Taegeuk Warriors breezed through Group B of AFC qualifying to book an automatic place in the tournament to mark their 12 appearance at the finals - the most of any Asian country.

Manager

Hong Myung-bo

Like Mexico's Aguirre, Hong Myung-bo has also returned as head coach of his home country in anticipation of the World Cup. One of the greatest South Korean players of all time, Hong previously spent a year as manager before stepping down after after a winless campaign at the 2014.

The 57-year-old has developed his experience in management since then however, and will be desperate to lead his team to success when he gets a second bite of the cherry this summer.

Key player

Son Heung-min

It really couldn't have been anyone else.

Son Heung-min's exploits on the pitch have made him one of the most recognisable figures in world football and he remains a talismanic figure for the national team more than 15 years after earning his first cap.

Despite his consistent success at the highest levels of the game, Son failed to score across four appearances in Qatar and will need to be more prolific if South Korea are to reach the latter stages.

Breakout player

Oh Hyeon-gyu

The downside to having a superstar figure and legitimate world class talent like Son in a team is often that players in the same position can find it nigh on impossible to assert themselves in the same position.

This is the situation that Oh Hyeon-gyu has found himself in in recent years but the 25-year-old remains a genuine talent, as evidenced by his goalscoring exploits in Belgium and Turkey last season.

Odds

To win group – 13/3
To qualify – 4/11

While their conservative approach in qualification came under fire, South Korea were the only AFC team to reach the finals without tasting defeat and they will be hoping that their robust defence holds firm over the coming weeks.

Czechia

The only UEFA representative to feature in Group A, Czechia secured a place in the finals for the first time in two decades in the most dramatic of circumstances.

After an embarrassing defeat to the Faroe Islands in October the Football Association of the Czech Republic opted to replace Ivan Hasek with Miroslav Koubek, a move that proved decisive in their road to the World Cup.

Despite ultimately finishing second Czechia went on to beat both the Republic of Ireland and Denmark on penalties to progress from the play-offs.

Manager

Miroslav Koubek

Unlike many of his contemporaries in North America, Miroslav Koubek has had a relatively short timeframe to reshape what was a struggling side when he arrived. In spite of that however, Czechia have shown marked improvements since he implemented a 3-4-2-1 formation and opted for a policy of pragmaticism.

Czechia have yet to lose since Koubek took the reins and he will be hoping that momentum carries over into the tournament.

Key player

Pavel Sulc

Those who thought Pavel Sulc would need time to adapt to the rigours of playing in one of Europe's top five leagues were quickly proven wrong when the attacking midfielder arrived at Lyon last summer after earning rave reviews in his native country.

14 goal involvements from just 17 Ligue 1 starts shows that the 25-year-old is capable of performing at the top level though he could score more at international level.

Breakout player

Robin Hranac

While he had a performance to forget against Portugal at the European Championships in 2024, Robin Hranac has quickly become an integral part of the defensive line since Koubek's appointment.

Hardworking and consistent, Czechia will need players like Hranac if they are to move beyond the group stages this summer.

Odds

To win group – 10/3
To qualify – 4/11

While it is difficult to make too many reads on how Czechia will perform based on Koubek's limited time in charge, they have demonstrated a resiliency that will no doubt be tested under the brightest lights.

The expanded format for this summer's tournament means one win could well be enough for Repre to progress from the group stages, and they have what it takes to find those three points.