With just over a fortnight remaining until the biggest global sporting spectacle takes centre stage, national teams and their head coaches are making last-minute alterations before they step foot in North America to fight for a chance to lift the ultimate prize in football: the World Cup.
Keeping that in mind, we at SportsKhabri are bringing you a comprehensive preview of the group stage, analysing each team.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, comprising co-hosts Mexico, regulars South Korea, and the returning South Africa and Czechia.
Mexico (CONCACAF)
South Africa (CAF)
South Korea (AFC)
Czechia (UEFA)
As co-hosts, and the only nation to host this tournament three times, Mexico didn’t have to go through the gruelling qualification rounds alongside Canada and the United States.
Despite their rich history and pedigree as a footballing nation, Mexico’s best result at the World Cup is still the two quarter-final runs that they put together in 1970 and 1986, incidentally being the hosts on both occasions. They failed to make it past the group stage in 2022, while all their previous seven adventures prior to that ended in round of 16 heartbreak.
El Tri are coming into this tournament under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, who has made them a side not to be taken lightly since his appointment in July 2024. Having already won the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup under his tutelage (though a six-game winless streak following that success threatened to derail their preparations in between), four wins and two draws since the turn of the year — with five clean sheets in six — see Aguirre’s men come into this tournament in red-hot form.
The Bafana Bafana are making a fourth appearance at the men’s FIFA World Cup, having previously played in the 1998, 2002, and 2010 editions. Following a topsy-turvy start to their qualification campaign, Hugo Broos’ side secured automatic qualification over Nigeria on the final matchday with a 3–0 win over Rwanda at home.
However, since securing qualification, they have only made it through to the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, losing out to Cameroon 1–2 on the night, while they drew at home and lost 2–1 against Panama in the only two games they’ve played so far this year.
Regulars now at the biggest stage, South Korea booked their place at the World Cup for an 11th consecutive time by going unbeaten throughout their qualification campaign, topping their respective groups in both Rounds 2 and 3.
Moreover, over the last twelve months, Hong Myung-bo’s men have played some decent sides in their preparations for the World Cup. Although there have been some poor results, such as 5–0 and 4–0 defeats to Brazil and Côte d’Ivoire, respectively, there have also been some quality performances, like the wins against the USA, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Ghana, as well as a draw away from home in the form of a 2–2 stalemate against Mexico, which should give them confidence when they face them again on June 19.
Making a comeback at the biggest stage after 20 long years, this Miroslav Koubek-led group of players have already etched their names in Czech history. The manner in which they secured their qualification would have filled the nation and this team with so much belief that they can genuinely emerge as dark horses this tournament, given the momentum they have built leading up to this showpiece event.
Having finished behind Croatia in the qualification group stage, Czechia were paired with Ireland in the play-off stage, with the winner of Denmark and North Macedonia facing them in the final play-off game. However, the decision to rope in a veteran coach in Koubek proved to be a masterstroke, as he was the orchestrator of both their dramatic play-off victories against Ireland and Denmark, with Czechia winning both games on penalties.
The Mexicans, with their home advantage, will be favourites to make it comfortably past the group stage, with performances against the likes of Belgium, Portugal, and Uruguay in the last 12 months showcasing their ability to take on the big boys. However, their recent run has also exposed a vulnerability to counter-attacks, with teams like Panama and Colombia making them pay.
Meanwhile, with the likes of Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in, and Son Heung-min forming the backbone of their side, South Korea, with their tactical discipline under Hong Myung-bo and the ability to counter at frightening pace, will be the biggest threat to Mexico and Czechia. While they may not play expansive football, their tactical awareness, work rate, and ability to stay compact and punish mistakes make them dangerous.
Elsewhere, if there’s anything this Czech team have shown under Miroslav Koubek, it is resilience and unwavering belief, which they will want to carry into this tournament dearly. Akin to South Korea at least in the defensive-discipline department, while being far more physical than their Asian counterparts, Czechia through the likes of Patrik Schick and Tomáš Sou?ek will be a handful given their set-piece efficiency as a team and their ability to force second balls in congested spaces.
Lastly, given the intense heat and humidity that will be present throughout the tournament, South Africa can certainly spring a few surprises, especially considering their recent defensive improvements. Skipper Ronwen Williams, centre-backs Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Siyabonga Ngezana, and midfielder Teboho Mokoena form the defensive core of this side, with forwards Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster leading the charge on the counter.
With no clear big name in this group, it’s all up for grabs in Group A. Recent form and home advantage suggest co-hosts Mexico should top the group, followed by the experienced and disciplined South Korean side.
That said, both Czechia and South Africa cannot be taken lightly — especially Miroslav Koubek and Co, who have made it this far against all odds and will, therefore, pose the biggest challenge to both Mexico and South Korea for the top two spots.
Mexico (1st)
South Korea (2nd)
Czechia (3rd)
South Africa (4th)
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