The dust has finally settled on club competitions around the globe and it’s time for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Every four years, fans wait with bated breath to see the global superstars don their national colours for the biggest prize in sports today. This time around, the USA, Mexico and Canada will serve as the hosts for 48 teams, making it the biggest World Cup in history.
The action starts with Group A, which will have co-hosts Mexico, Czechia, South Korea and South Africa aiming to make it to the Round Of 32. The pressure will be firmly on Mexico to make their fans happy, but South Korea and Czechia will be aiming to spoil the party. South Africa will be aiming to show that they’re no pushovers and make it a celebration for themselves, setting up some enticing battles and tussles for points across three match-days.
GROUP A: MEET THE TEAMS
Mexico will enter Group A as favourites, buoyed by home support and expectations of a deep run. El Tri have reached the World Cup quarter-finals only twice, in 1970 and 1986, and their primary goal will be to finally break that barrier. While much of the core remains unchanged from recent years, with Raul Jimenez, Guillermo Ochoa and Edson Alvarez still key figures, hopes of goals will largely rest on Santiago Gimenez despite his injury-hit spell at AC Milan.
South Korea are expected to be Mexico’s biggest challengers. The 2002 semi-finalists possess quality in attack through Heung-min Son, but concerns remain over a defence that conceded 10 goals across two friendlies during the March international window. Manager Hong Myung-bo’s commitment to a back-three system has come under scrutiny, and Korea will need to find balance quickly if they are to progress.
South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana have never advanced beyond the group stage and arrive after mixed results, including a Round of 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations. They will likely target a best third-placed finish, though that task will not be straightforward.
Completing the group are Czechia, who return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence. While the nation has struggled to replicate the success of former Czechoslovakia, they possess experienced performers in Tomas Soucek, Patrik Schick and Matej Vydra. Having secured qualification through a play-off victory over Denmark, Czechia will believe they have enough quality to challenge for a knockout-stage berth.
GROUP A: GAME OF THE GROUP
While all the fixtures do have the potential to get this accolade, Mexico vs South Korea will be the game to watch for in Group A. It will take place on June 18 at Estadio Guadalajara.
The game takes on so much significance as it will probably decide who will win the group and who will finish second. The match will also demonstrate how much Mexico has improved since these two teams met in a friendly last year in September, where a stoppage-time equaliser helped El Tri to salvage a draw.
Mexico will be aiming to make the most of South Korea’s defense and Son and Co. will aim to silence the home crowd and pull off another big scalp at the World Cup.
GROUP A: PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Guillermo Ochoa: Yes, Mexico does have Jimenez, Gimenez and Alvarez, but it is Ochoa who will be the one everyone will be looking at. Since making his World Cup debut in 2010 and catching the eye of everyone with some sensational performances, he has been an enigma when it comes to the tournament.
Not a lot is spoken about him as he doesn’t play in Europe now and doesn’t have a big team name attached to his CV in his career. But Mexico will depend on the veteran for one last dance and help them beat their quarterfinal jinx.
Heung-Min Son: No guesses when it comes to South Korea. Son will be the main for his side in the World Cup and will be hoping to sign off from the big stage with another great performance.
Having now settled himself in the MLS, Son has been for of a creator now, with nine assists in his last campaign for LAFC. His goalscoring form maybe a worry for some, but the former Tottenham Hotspur man will be expected to step up and put on a show under the bright lights.
Patrick Schick: For Czechia to go forward from the group, the scoring form of Schick will be key. For Bayer Leverkusen, he was a star, scoring 16 goals in 28 appearances this season in the Bundesliga.
With an eye for the spectacular, Schick will be hoping to get his side dream about the glory days and make it out of a tough group.
Lyle Foster: For South Africa, they will depend on their talisman Lyle Foster to inspire them. Standing out with his performances for a lacklustre Burnley side in the Premier League 2025-26 campaign, Foster has an eye for a goal and speed as well.
South Africa will be out to prove they can hang around with the big boys, and for that Foster will need to put the chances away in front of goal.
GROUP A SCHEDULE
- Mexico vs South Africa: Thursday, June 11
- South Korea vs Czechia: Thursday, June 18
- Czechia vs South Africa: Wednesday, June 24
- Mexico vs South Korea: Wednesday, June 24
- Czechia vs Mexico: Thursday, June 25
- South Africa vs South Korea: Thursday, June 25
GROUP A: FULL SQUADS
Mexico: (Best finish: Quarterfinals)
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Acevedo
Defenders: Israel Reyes, Jesus Gallardo, Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Mateo Chavez
Midfielders: Erik Lira, Luis Romo, Obed Vargas, Brian Gutierrez, Orbelin Pineda, Edson Alvarez, Gilberto Mora, Cesar Huerta, Alvaro Fidalgo, Luis Chavez
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Alexis Vega, Julian Quinones, Santiago Gimenez, Guillermo Martinez, Armando Gonzalez, Raul Jimenez
Manager: Javier Aguirre
South Africa (Best finish: Group stage)
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Bradley Cross, Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Yaya Sithole, Jayden Adams
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster, Thapelo Maseko
Manager: Hugo Broos
South Korea (Best finish: 4th place)
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyun-Woo, Kim Seung-Gyu, Song Bum-Keun
Defenders: Kim Min-Jae, Jo Yu-Min, Lee Han-Beom, Kim Tae-Hyun, Park Jin-Seop, Lee Ki-Hyeok, Lee Tae-Seok, Seol Young-Woo, Jens Castrop, Kim Moon-Hwan
Midfielders: Yang Hyun-Jun, Paik Seung-Ho, Hwang In-Beom, Kim Jin-Kyu, Bae Jun-Ho, Um Ji-Sung, Hwang Hee-Chan, Lee Dong-Gyeong, Lee Jae-Sung, Lee Kang-In
Forwards: Oh Hyun-Kyu, Son Heung-Min, Cho Kyu-Sung
Manager: Hong Myung-Bo
Czechia (Best finish: Runners-up as part of Czechoslovakia)
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek, Martin Jedlicka, Antonn Kinsky, Jan Koutny, Matej Kovar, Jakub Markovic, Jindrich Stanek
Defenders: Vladimr Coufal, David Doudera, Matej Hada, Tom Hole, Robin Hranc, tepn Chaloupek, Vclav Jemelka, David Jursek, Ladislav Krejc, Karel Spcil, Adam evnsk, Martin Vitk, Tom Vlcek, Jaroslav Zelen, David Zima
Midfielders: Lukas Ambros, Michal Beran, Pavel Bucha, Luks Cerv, Krystof Danek, Vladimir Darida, Patrik Hellebrand, Adam Karabec, Ondrej Kricfalui, Tom Ladra, David Planka, Luks Provod, Matej Ryne, Lukas Sadlek, Michal Sadlek, Hugo Sochurek, Alexandr Sojka, Tom Soucek, Pavel ulc, Denis Viinsk
Forwards: Adam Hloek, Tom Chor, Mojmr Chytil, Christophe Kabongo, Jan Kliment, Jan Kuchta, Vasil Kuej, Ondrej Mihlik, Vojtech Patrk, Vclav Sejk, Patrik Schick, Matej Vydra
Manager: Miroslav Koubek
– Ends
