2026 FIFA World Cup: Group A Preview

One of three groups featuring a host, lots of eyeballs will be on Group A to understand whether a “homefield advantage” does indeed play out.

Mexico has hosted the World Cup twice before, in 1970 and 1986, reaching the quarterfinals in both years. This stands as the further that El Tri has made it in a World Cup, so there may be something to the host bump.

While Mexico’s performances figure to dominate the headlines for this group, it is comprised in total of some undervalued teams that could be dark horse contenders to make a run in the knockout rounds.

The Teams

Czechia

Best Case Scenario

The Czechs haven’t featured at a World Cup since 2006, where the stay was relatively brief (knocked out in Group Stage), but have had some recent success on the international stage, making the quarterfinals at both the 2012 and 2020 EUROs. There is a cluster of talent in the middle of the pitch, including names such as Tomáš Souček, Pavel Šulc and Ladislav Krejčí who all hone their craft at the club level in some of Europe’s best leagues.

The talent and experience in the midfield as well as up front with Patrik Schick gives Czechia some offensive firepower and a shot at winning Group A, which presumably creates a path to play a third-place finisher in the round of 32 and potentially a fellow European nation in the round of 16.

Realistic Expectation

The experience of names like Souček doesn’t hurt to have, and other Baltic nations have proven that you don’t necessarily need youth and speed to create success in the World Cup.

At the same time, Czechia relying on so many legs with considerable mileage will likely become a problem at some point, especially with the extra knockout round created by the expanded field. Getting out the group is definitely within reach, but anything far beyond that would be icing on the cake.

Mexico

Best Case Scenario

The joint hosts of the Tournament use the home field advantage to their absolute advantage, riding friendly crowds to a comfortable topping of Group A. Taking maximum points against South Africa and South Korea in its first two matches gives El Tri an opportunity to play freely in the group finale against Czechia, which it will still aim to win because of what lies ahead by finishing first.

Winning the group sets up a scenario where Mexico would not have to leave the country until the quarterfinals, where a match in Miami would still provide some level of comfort for the Spanish speaking players. In an era where the talent of the team has been questioned more than once, El Tri exceeds expectations.

Realistic Expectation

A tumultuous 2025 may have pulled back the curtains about what to expect from El Tri at the World Cup this year. Finding offense proved to be a challenge at points, and even a Gold Cup triumph over the United States in the final last July didn’t do much to change the opinions of which country was better positioned for success heading into 2026.

Getting out of Group A feels like the baseline expectation and that should be possible, but winning it isn’t as comfortable a prediction. Javier Aguirre is in his third stint as manager of the Mexican national team and has never won a knockout round despite two prior chances. A third time may not be a charm for Aguirre.

South Africa

Best Case Scenario

Bafana Bafana hasn’t participated in the World Cup since hosting the event in 2010, but despite becoming the first host nation to fail to make the knockout round, South Africa was still quite competitive in that tournament as a relative underdog. Beating France and tying Mexico made a statement to the world that this country can compete.

With an arguably easier group to navigate than 16 years ago, it would be less of a shock than in 2010 if South Africa were to make it to the knockout rounds. Having the ability to sneak in as a third-place finisher helps those chances.

Realistic Expectation

It’s a good thing that South Africa seems to know how to enjoy the moment no matter the circumstances, because it is still the least likely in this group to move on. A tough scheduling draw sees Bafana Bafana take on the joint hosts in the tournament’s opening match before facing a tough Czechia squad in match two.

While the opportunity for third place finishers to move on should decrease the number of teams eliminated prior to match three, it wouldn’t be shocking to see South Africa against the ropes by the time that one rolls around.

South Korea

Best Case Scenario

In the 2022 World Cup, the South Koreans deployed a more aggressive strategy that saw the squad push for goals as opposed to let the opposition dictate play, which proved to be a relatively successful strategy and one that was met with positive reaction from supporters.

Current manager Hong Myung-bo can provide a level of balance between the traditional and “new” approach as a former sweeper, valuing mindful defensive tactics while allowing a crop of talented offensive talents such as Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in create opportunities. Though not at the peak of his powers any longer, former Tottenham and current LAFC star Son Heung-min is still dangerous and just two goals off of the all-time record for his country.

Realistic Expectation

Some level of offensive regression could be expected thanks to the change in philosophy by the manager, something that has been seen in the results leading up to the World Cup. This may not be a major issue in the group stage, however, with the opponents potentially facing the same thing.

South Korea will be in the thick of the battle to move on to the knockout rounds. From there, it doesn’t feel like they have quite the top-level talent to go a whole lot further.

Matches to Watch

Mexico vs. South Africa (June 11 – 3 PM ET)

The opener for the tournament is can’t miss for the obvious reasons, but also carries an interesting wrinkle: it is an inverse of the opening match from 16 years ago when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup.

Mexico vs. South Korea (June 18 – 9 PM ET)

Each team will have had a match under its belt and a result in this one would presumably put one of these two in the driver’s seat to win Group A.

Predictions (Bold Advance to Knockout Stage)

1. Czechia

2. Mexico

3. South Korea

4. South Africa