The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in just eight days!
Here at SixOneFive Soccer, we're previewing all 12 groups heading into the tournament, helping you get all the information you need heading into the biggest event in sports!
We're kicking things off with Group A, including host nation Mexico under pressure to perform, a South Korea side that could make a deep run, and a South Africa team looking to dazzle the world in their first appearance since their 2010 turn as hosts.
TEAMS: Mexico 🇲🇽 | South Africa 🇿🇦 | South Korea 🇰🇷 | Czech Republic 🇨🇿
Mexico 🇲🇽
FIFA World Ranking: 15
Mexico will get the party started on home soil, opening the World Cup on Thursday, June 11, against South Africa (ironically, it’s the second time the two sides have played a World Cup opener after 2010).
Head coach Javier Aguirre is back for his second stint in charge of the team, and El Tri look much more settled. They’re pragmatic rather than dazzling, looking to stay compact and in a low block, drawing teams upfield and then hitting quickly in transition.
Their backline is solid and physically imposing, but they tend to struggle against pace and can be exploited in behind. They’ll be banking on Santiago Giménez and Raul Jiménez getting hot and consistently creating and finishing chances.
As we’ve seen over countless World Cups, home-field advantage can spur host nations to a deep run. Mexico will be banking on the crowds at the Azteca to propel them deep in this tournament.
How they qualified: As one of the three host nations, Mexico did not have to go through the typical qualifying process, but received an automatic bid to the tournament.
Best-ever finish: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
Odds to win World Cup: +8000
Key player: 17-year-old Gilberto Mora is not just an exciting young player; he's one of the best young players in the global game, the best player in this Mexico squad, and is quite possibly the best player in Group A. The diminutive Tijuana midfielder is a dynamic playmaker, with exceptional vision to match a low center of gravity and a devastating turn of pace. With rumors of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, and others lined up for his signature once he turns 18, he looks like one of the game's next real stars.
X-factor: Former Chicago Fire star Brian Gutiérrez has emerged as a legitimate star this season with Chivas, and after filing a one-time switch to represent Mexico, he’s scored twice in six caps. Initially expected to be a depth piece, he looks closer to breaking into the starting lineup. Missing him could come back to haunt the United States.
What’s their ceiling? This group has enough talent to be a team that no one wants to play, but it’s hard to see them being able to really threaten the elite teams at this tournament. Getting to the quarterfinals would be a success.
Projection: Mexico should win the group, but their questionable track record in the knockout round casts major doubts on their ability to make a legitimate push for silverware.
Fun fact: Mexico City is sinking by as much as 20 inches per year in some neighborhoods. The city was built on a drained lake bed, and the Metropolitan Cathedral has visibly tilted over the years as a result.
South Africa 🇿🇦
FIFA World Ranking: 60
South Africa are back for their first World Cup appearance in 16 years, failing to qualify since their turn hosting in 2010.
Under head coach Hugo Broos, they navigated a tricky qualifying cycle, despite being handed an automatic 3-0 loss against Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player. One of nine African nations at the tournament, they have plenty of exciting young talent, but haven't proven themselves to be a consistent producer on the world stage. Can they cause an upset in Group A?
Bafana Bafana typically play direct, looking to stay compact defensively and explode forward quickly in transition. They rely heavily on long passing and are surprisingly effective from crosses. They also struggle with converting key chances, though, and had several costly misses in qualifying that will get punished at the World Cup.
How they qualified: South Africa finished on top of Group C in CAF qualifying, booking a ticket to their fourth World Cup.
Best-ever finish: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)
Key player: Lyle Foster is the key man up top for Bafana Bafana, scoring 10 goals in 26 caps. The Burnley striker has been inconsistent in front of goal at the club level, but made 26 appearances in the Premier League this season and will need to find the net if South Africa want a shot to advance.
X-factor: 20-year-old center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been a breakout star with Chicago Fire in MLS, and looks to hold down a spot in a backline that will be under regular pressure.
What’s their ceiling? This side simply doesn't have the history or talent to be more than a plucky underdog, especially in a group with two potential dark horses and a spoiler in Czechia. Making it out of the group would be monumental.
Odds to win World Cup: +10000
Projection: South Africa look like the weakest side in Group A, and despite some intriguing individual talent, it's hard to see them making a serious challenge to advance.
Fun fact: South Africa is the only country in the world with three capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
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South Korea 🇰🇷
FIFA World Ranking: 25
South Korea are consistently one of the more dangerous sides coming out of Asia, and are a real threat to win the group. They're smart in possession, tough to break down, and have multiple players who operate at a high level in Europe and are capable of creating and finishing chances.
Center back Yu-Min Cho was ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury suffered in one of their final warmup friendlies. Head coach Myung-Bo Hong shifted to a 3-4-3 setup during their last few friendlies, and the assumption was a similar shape during the tournament. Injuries might force his hand back to a more standard 4-2-3-1.
Korea dominate possession, with their wide players looking to stretch the field and open up passing lanes for their central midfielders. They're strong in the mid-block, but can struggle when their backline becomes stretched.
How they qualified: Korea advanced comfortably through the Asian qualifiers, winning every match they played save for a 1-1 draw with Thailand.
Best-ever finish: Fourth place (2002)
Key player: Heung-min Son is not just the most legendary player in Korean history; he's one of the most popular players in the world. The Tottenham Hotspurs legend is now playing with Los Angeles FC in MLS, but he's still the most central piece of this team, able to create chances for others or finish them himself.
X-factor: 22-year-old Jun-Ho Bae is a real breakout candidate for Korea. The Stoke City midfielder is capable of splitting the defense with well-timed through balls, as well as getting in behind the backline with lung-busting runs from deep.
What’s their ceiling? Korea aren't quite a dark-horse at this tournament, but they're fully capable of an upset and are a team no one wants to play.
Odds to win World Cup: +40000
Projection: South Korea will push Mexico for first place in the group, but they'll come in second and make a run to the Round of 16.
Fun fact: South Korea has the fastest average internet speed of any country on earth and has held that distinction for most of the past two decades.
Czech Republic 🇨🇿
FIFA World Ranking: 41
The Czech Republic (or "Czechia") are back in the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, and after being a problem team in UEFA Championships in the past, they're looking to make a push for the Round of 32 here this summer. A surprise quarterfinalist at Euro 2020, they crashed out in the group stage in 2022 and are looking for redemption on a bigger stage.
This is an extremely cross-reliant side, getting their wingbacks involved in the final third to let the wide attackers pinch inside to playmake or even crash the box. They're also one of the more dangerous set-piece teams in the tournament, and will look to throw numbers into the box for every corner and free kick they can.
How they qualified: Czechia had a rocky road to the World Cup. Finishing second in their group behind Croatia, they clawed back against Ireland in the playoff and defeated Denmark in a penalty-kick shootout to book their ticket.
Best-ever finish: Runners up (1934, 1962)
Key player: Striker Patrik Schick has had a solid career in the German Bundesliga and is the focal point of everything they do going forward. He finished tied with Cristiano Ronaldo as the top scorer in Euro 2020, including a golazo from the halfway line.
X-factor: 25-year-old Lyon midfielder Pavel Šulc is the Czech Republic's secret weapon, a dynamic dribbler who carries a lot of their chance creation burden.
What’s their ceiling? Czechia certainly have players who can cause problems at this level, but aren't one of the more popular elites in Europe. Depending on how the bracket shapes up, they could make a run to the Round of 16.
Odds to win World Cup: +25000
Projection: Third place in the group, and a narrow defeat to the United States in the Round of 32.
Fun fact: Czechs drink more beer per capita than any other country in the world, and have held the title for over 30 consecutive years. Pilsner-style beer was invented in the Czech city of Plzeň in 1842.
Also, their captain, Ladislav Krejčí, is a center back who wears the No. 7 shirt. That's not really a stat, but it's a baller move.
GROUP A WRAP
Predicted final standings
| Pos | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | Advances to Round of 32 |
| 2 | 🇰🇷 South Korea | Advances to Round of 32 |
| 3 | 🇨🇿 Czechia | Best-third-place contender |
| 4 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Eliminated |
The match that decides it: Mexico vs South Korea
Best-third-place watch: Czechia could absolutely sneak through as one of the eight best third-place teams if they take four-plus points.
