Group A Preview

The first group to get underway as tournament hosts Mexico face South Africa at the Azteca in Mexico City, followed by the clash between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara.

One of the tougher groups to predict with only South Africa considered unlikely winners.

World Cup Group A fixtures and where to watch

Here, we take a look at the teams in detail.

Mexico: 2026 World Cup preview, star player, prediction

Coach: Javier Aguirre
Qualification: Co-hosts
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals (1970 and 1986)

Being one of the top seeds through their co-hosting status gives Mexico a huge advantage, as does playing all three group games in front of a fanatical support and in likely blistering heat. Qualifying automatically does mean they are a little short of competitive action but they are trending in the right direction following the return of the vastly experienced Javier Aguirre for a third spell in charge. His previous two World Cups have seen him guide El Tri out of the group stage and it would be a major surprise if he did not repeat the feat once again. 

It would be a stretch to say this is a vintage Mexico team but results in 2026 have shown promise with draws against Portugal and Belgium and wins over Panama, Bolivia, Iceland and Ghana. A solid spine provided by Johan Vasquez, Edson Alvarez and Raul Jimenez enables flair and pace to come from out wide although it is worth stressing Mexico do not look to dominate the ball, their strength comes from winning it back and surging forward in transition.

There is, of course, pressure with being a co-host, particularly with a fanbase as fervent as Mexico’s but there will be a quiet resolve to shine a positive light on the country given the rhetoric that stems from political voices to the north.

If they can finish top of the group, then their round of 32 game will also be in the capital which is a huge incentive.

Mexico Star Player: Raul Jimenez’s last FIFA World Cup

Jimenez remains the glamour boy of Mexican football, even at the age of 35. This will be his international swansong and he will be desperate to go out on a high. He may have lost a yard of pace but he remains a good finisher and has the physical capabilities to dominate defenders.

He managed nine goals in the Premier League last season for a Fulham team that lingered around mid-table for much of the campaign.

If the likes of Alexis Vega and Roberto Alvarado can provide a steady stream of ammunition, Jimenez has the quality to be among the better number nines at the tournament.

Prediction: Mexico can top FIFA World Cup group

There seems little reason why Mexico can’t top the group given the variables that are in their favour. And with a home match-up in the first knockout round, a place in the last 16 is definitely achievable.

South Africa: 2026 World Cup preview, star player, prediction

Coach: Hugo Broos
Qualification: Group winners
Best World Cup: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)

Bafana Bafana are back on the grandest stage of them all for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.

Under the guidance of veteran Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, South Africa have undergone a massive cultural and tactical transformation. Broos has built a highly unified squad that has earned immense continental respect, safely navigating a tricky CAF qualification group and securing their ticket to North America with an emotional 3-0 victory over Rwanda late last year.

While they may lack the star-studded European rosters of some of their tournament rivals, South Africa’s secret weapon could be their club-level familiarity. The spine of the team is heavily drawn from domestic heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns, giving them a level of understanding rarely seen in international football. Broos deploys a highly disciplined, compact defensive block that absorbs pressure before utilizing the explosive pace of their wide players to hurt teams on the counter-attack.

South Africa star player: Lyle Foster provides focal point

Burnley striker Lyle Foster brings invaluable top-flight European experience to the side. The 26-year-old has established himself as a clinical and physical modern number nine for his country, netting crucial goals during their recent competitive runs. Backed by the evergreen creativity of Themba Zwane and the relentless engine of Teboho Mokoena in midfield, Foster possesses the strength and hold-up play necessary to turn defence into attack single-handedly.

Prediction: How far can South Africa go at World Cup?

South Africa will not be pushovers but lack the quality to push the more established sides in the group. They won’t lack for physicality, organisation or spirit but it takes more to succeed at this level.

South Korea: World Cup 2026 preview, star player, prediction

Coach: Hong Myung-bo
Qualification: AFC Third Round Group B Winners
Best World Cup: Semi-finals (2002)

South Korea enter their 11th consecutive World Cup tournament as Asia’s most consistent and reliable powerhouse. Following a chaotic period of managerial turnover after Qatar, the ship has been steadied by the legendary Hong Myung-bo.

Hong, who has experienced the World Cup as a player, assistant, and head coach, has re-instilled an elite winning mentality, guiding the Taeguk Warriors through a flawless qualification campaign where they were the only Asian side to remain undefeated.

South Korea’s game plan revolves around incredible physical conditioning and an aggressive press. Hong has modernised their setup, shifting away from slow possession cycles to favour rapid, vertical transitions. They aim to win the ball back high up the pitch and instantly exploit the spaces left by disorganised defences, moving the ball into the final third with lightning speed to isolate opposing centre-backs.

South Korea star player: Son Heung-min the talisman

The spiritual leader and undisputed icon of South Korean football, former Tottenham favourite Son Heung-min enters the 2026 tournament carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders once again. Having already played 10 matches across his previous World Cup campaigns, the captain remains a fine winger. His elite finishing, deceptive pace, and experience mean that even half a chance could change the entire trajectory of Group A.

Prediction: South Korea to rival Mexico

Boasting a perfect blend of European experience and disciplined domestic talent, South Korea are heavily backed to navigate the group stage comfortably. They possess the tactical tools to go toe-to-toe with co-hosts Mexico for the top spot in Group A.

Czech Republic: FIFA World Cup preview, star player, prediction

Coach: Miroslav Koubek
Qualification: UEFA Play-off Winners
Best World Cup: Runners-up (1934, 1962 as Czechoslovakia)

After an agonising 20-year absence from football’s biggest stage, the Czech Republic have finally clawed their way back to the World Cup.

Their path was anything but simple; following a turbulent group stage, the Czech FA turned to 74-year-old veteran Miroslav Koubek, who masterminded back-to-back penalty shootout victories over the Republic of Ireland and Denmark in the March play-offs.

Gone are the days of the fluid, star-studded Czech sides of Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky. This modern iteration is built entirely on defensive grit, physical intensity, and absolute structural pragmatism.

Koubek likes a deeply compact, unyielding low block that challenges opponents to break them down out wide, relying on an incredibly tall and physical defensive unit to dominate the penalty box and punish teams on attacking set-pieces

Czech Republic star player: Patrik Schick can shine

With the current squad leaning heavily on young domestic talent, almost all attacking hopes rest on the elite shoulders of Patrik Schick.

The Bayer Leverkusen marksman has a proven track record of shining on the international stage and possesses fine movement and finishing inside the box.

Supported by the aerial power of West Ham’s Tomas Soucek and the defensive leadership of Wolves’ Ladislav Krejci, Schick provides the clinical edge required to turn minimal possession into goals.

Prediction: Why Czech Republic are dangerous at the World Cup

The Czechs will be an incredibly frustrating nut to crack for everyone in Group A. Their lack of creative depth in midfield might restrict their ability to dictate games, meaning their tournament will likely hinge on a physical showdown against South Africa. Expect them to grind out tight results, potentially scraping through to the knockout rounds as a dangerous unseeded opponent.

Predicted World Cup 2026 Group A table