A is a story of three different ambitions and one dream. The tournament hosts have reached the quarter-finals at both previous home World Cups — and gone no further. South Korea still dreams of their 2002 semi-final and wants to get back there. The Czech Republic returns to the World Cup after 20 years, hungry for results. And South Africa — the country that gave the world the first African World Cup — is still searching for a historic first round of 16. Four teams, four stories, one group.
Group A Teams
Mexico
Football roots and early steps on the world stage
Football arrived in Mexico at the start of the 20th century, brought by English workers — and it conquered the country almost immediately. Within a decade, the first all-local club and the national team had been formed. The 'Tri', also known as the 'Aztecs', became one of the most regular fixtures in world football: only Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy have appeared at more World Cups.
Their debut in 1930 was a disaster — three defeats in three games. The 1934 edition brought further embarrassment: despite already arriving in Italy, Mexico were forced to play an extra qualifier against the United States, lost 2-4, and subsequently boycotted the 1938 tournament alongside most of the Western Hemisphere.
The golden age of home World Cups
From 1950 onwards, Mexico became a regular presence. In 1970, hosting the tournament for the first time, they reached their first-ever quarter-final before falling to Italy (1-4). Sixteen years later, Mexico became the first nation to host the World Cup twice — again advancing to the last eight, again eliminated on penalties, this time by West Germany (0-0, 1-4 on pens).
Between 1994 and 2018, the Aztecs advanced from the group stage seven consecutive times — a feat matched only by Brazil, Germany and Italy. They came agonisingly close to the quarters in 1994 (beaten by Bulgaria on penalties) and in 2014 (a 87th-minute collapse against the Netherlands). The streak ended in Qatar 2022, when Mexico were eliminated on goal difference.
Road to 2026
Mexico qualified automatically as one of three host nations. Their final competitive warmup was the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States and Canada — which they won, beating the hosts in the final (2-1). Now they prepare for their 18th World Cup, with the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — one of the world's largest and most storied football venues — as their home ground.
Style and key players
Mexico have played a consistent style for decades: ball control, compactness, aggressive pressing, and short passing. Against organised defences it can stall; but the physicality and relentlessness of their play makes them a handful for anyone.
Raul Jimenez (34, Fulham) — Mexico's leading scorer in the current cycle, with 44 goals in 124 appearances. He returned triumphantly after a severe head injury in 2020 and continues to deliver in key moments.
Edson Alvarez — the pitbull of the midfield. Played every minute of all six Gold Cup matches and scored the winning goal in the final against the US.
Guillermo Ochoa (40) — the veteran goalkeeper playing in Cyprus who has been a superhero at three consecutive World Cups. If selected for 2026, he would become the first player alongside Ronaldo and Messi to appear at six World Cups.
Javier Aguirre — on his third stint as Mexico head coach, having previously led them at 2002 and 2010. Won the Gold Cup in his latest return.
South Korea
From all-time worst record to semi-final glory
South Korea are the only Asian side ever to reach a World Cup semi-final. The road there was long and painful. Their 1954 debut in Switzerland produced a 0-9 loss to Hungary and a 0-7 defeat to Turkey — a goal difference of -16 that remains the worst in World Cup history.
From 1986 onwards, South Korea never missed another World Cup. Their 2002 home tournament was the peak: wins over Poland, Portugal, Italy (golden goal) and Spain (on penalties) sent the 'Red Devils' all the way to the last four, where they lost narrowly to Germany (0-1). The journey was not without controversy — refereeing decisions in those knockout games sparked debates that continue to this day.
Qualification for 2026
The cycle under three different coaches — Jurgen Klinsmann, caretaker Kim Do-hoon and then Hong Myung-bo — ended in style. In the third round of Asian qualification, South Korea were the only team to go unbeaten across all 10 matches: six wins, four draws, 20 goals scored. Hong Myung-bo, the legendary captain of the 2002 side, led the final push.
Style and key players
South Korea play fast, direct football with high pressing and fluid attacking transitions. They don't sit back, and they're not afraid to take the game to stronger opponents.
Son Heung-min (33, MLS) — captain and all-time leading scorer, two goals shy of breaking the national record outright. He is expected to achieve that milestone in the United States.
Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) — the anchor of the defence, transformed into a commanding leader when he pulls on the national shirt.
Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) — the most valuable player in the squad. Young, technically brilliant, explosive — the one to watch for a breakout tournament.
Hong Myung-bo — an icon of Korean football, captain of the 2002 semi-finalists, now coaching the side he once inspired as a player.
Czech Republic
Heirs to a proud footballing tradition
Czechoslovakia reached the World Cup final twice (1934, 1962), won the European Championship in 1976 and took Olympic gold in Moscow in 1980. The independent Czech Republic has struggled to match those heights — their only previous World Cup appearance, in 2006, ended in the group stage despite a squad featuring Pavel Nedved, Petr Cech and Jan Koller.
A dramatic road through the play-offs
The 2026 qualifying campaign was characterised by inconsistency. In a group with Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Gibraltar, the Czechs finished second — including a shock home defeat to the Faroe Islands (1-2) and a 1-5 thrashing in Osijek. The play-offs required their famed character. They came from 0-2 down against Ireland before winning on penalties (4-3), then did it again against Denmark — surrendering a lead in normal time before prevailing in another shootout (3-2 on pens). After a 20-year absence, Czech football is back on the world stage.
Style and key players
Head coach Miroslav Koubek (74) sets up in a 3-4-2-1 system, focusing on high energy, aerial threat and direct play rather than possession. The squad lacks the names of the golden generation but compensates with collective character.
Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen) — the only Czech in history to score 100+ goals in the top five European leagues. 26 goals in 52 international appearances. If the Czechs score on the big stage, it will almost certainly come through him.
Ladislav Krejci (26, Wolverhampton) — captain and the generation's standout talent, capable of playing as a wing-back or in a front three. His goal against Denmark booked the World Cup ticket.
Pavel Sulc — a midfielder with a golden touch: almost every shot he takes goes in. He spent April recovering from a knee injury; his fitness ahead of the tournament remains a question mark.
South Africa
Return after 16 years away
South Africa's football history is inseparable from the country's political history. The apartheid era kept them out of international football for decades — they were ultimately expelled from FIFA in 1976. When the regime ended in 1994, 'Bafana Bafana' ('the boys') were immediately reinstated and almost immediately successful: they won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 1996, with the trophy presented by Nelson Mandela himself.
On the World Cup stage, South Africa have never reached the knockout rounds. Their first three appearances ended in the group stage. The 2010 edition — the first World Cup held in Africa — saw them host the tournament, beat France, but ultimately fall short on goal difference after a heavy defeat to Uruguay (0-3).
Qualification for 2026
A self-inflicted crisis threatened to derail the campaign. A technical defeat to Lesotho — caused by fielding a suspended player — handed Nigeria a lifeline. But South Africa's players rallied, going five games unbeaten at the end of the cycle, finishing one point ahead of the Super Eagles to book a place at their fourth World Cup.
Style and key players
Head coach Hugo Broos (73) — who has announced he will retire after this tournament — has built a team that plays with genuine attacking ambition, refusing to sit back even against superior opponents. They line up in a 4-2-3-1 with wide play and high energy.
Lyle Foster (25, Burnley) — the only player in the squad representing a top-five European league club. South Africa's main scoring hope.
Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns) — the engine of the midfield. The same player whose suspension caused that technical defeat; he remains the team's most important outfield figure.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi (20, Chicago Fire) — a central defender of remarkable composure for his age. A strong World Cup could accelerate his move to European football.
Who Advances from Group A
| Team | Mostbet | 1xBet / Melbet / 22Bet | 1Win |
| Mexico | 1.10 | 1.095 | 1.09 |
| Czech Republic | 1.25 | 1.23 | 1.24 |
| South Korea | 1.45 | 1.43 | 1.44 |
| South Africa | 2.20 | 2.17 | 2.20 |
A 1.10 on Mexico advancing is barely a betting market — it's closer to a statement of fact. Playing at the Azteca, at altitude, in front of 87,000 home supporters gives the hosts advantages that go beyond the sporting. The Czech Republic (1.22-1.25) follow as the second-most likely side to progress, a reflection of the group's relative openness. South Korea (1.42-1.45) are priced lower than their squad quality might suggest — but the bookmakers account for the hostile atmosphere and the difficulty of their opening fixture against the hosts. South Africa (2.15-2.20) are the clear underdogs, though the odds imply a realistic chance of progression — perhaps more realistic than the football suggests.
Who Wins Group A
| Team | Mostbet | 1xBet / Melbet / 22Bet | 1Win |
| Mexico | 2.00 | 1.909 | 2.00 |
| Czech Republic | 3.20 | 3.32 | 3.25 |
| South Korea | 4.30 | 3.72 | 4.30 |
| South Africa | 13.00 | 13.00 | 13.00 |
Mexico (around 2.00) are the clear favourites to top the group — and justifiably so. Altitude, home support, and an experienced squad bred for exactly this kind of tournament. The Czech Republic (3.20-3.32) could realistically claim second if they beat South Korea in the opener and avoid a heavy defeat to Mexico. South Korea (3.72-4.30) — a wider spread between bookmakers here, reflecting genuine uncertainty. If Son delivers and Lee Kang-in catches fire, the Koreans are capable of finishing above the Czechs. South Africa (13.00) — strictly for dreamers.
Our Predictions
Group A will be predictable at the top and genuinely open in the middle. Mexico advance — the only question is from which position. First place is the preference: the bracket from second leads to the Netherlands or Brazil by the round of 16.
The second spot comes down to South Korea vs Czech Republic, a battle that will effectively be decided in their opening game. If the Koreans win that, the Czechs face an uphill climb. If Schick and Krejci hold firm, the intrigue lasts until the final matchday. Either way, the Azteca will be a party — and the rest of the group will be fighting for scraps of joy underneath it.