The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, with 48 nations heading to Mexico, Canada and the United States to battle for football’s most coveted prize.
The competition gets underway on June 11 as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca, while the group is further strengthened by the presence of an experienced Asian nation and a resilient European side capable of troubling any opponent.
With only two automatic qualification spots available, the battle for progression promises to be fiercely contested, and with that in mind, MrFixitsTips takes a look at the 2026 World Cup Group A predictions, odds, key players and fixtures.
Which teams are in Group A of the 2026 World Cup?
Mexico
Current FIFA ranking: 15th
Mexico are appearing at their 18th World Cup and qualified automatically as co-hosts of the tournament alongside the United States and Canada. El Tri will hope home conditions can help them finally overcome their long-standing round-of-16 barrier.
Mexico’s best World Cup finishes came in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarter-finals on home soil, although the CONCACAF nation exited in the group stage of the 2022 edition after finishing behind Argentina and Poland.
Manager and tactics
Javier Aguirre usually sets Mexico up in a 4-3-3 system, although he is also comfortable switching to a 4-2-3-1 depending on the opposition and game state.
Key player
Raul Jimenez remains Mexico’s leading attacking figure despite now being 34. The Fulham striker has spent the last decade in European football after emerging through the ranks at Club America before spells with Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
South Korea
Current FIFA ranking: 25th
South Korea secured qualification by finishing top of their group during the third round of AFC qualifying, extending their remarkable run of World Cup appearances to 11 consecutive editions.
The Taegeuk Warriors produced their best-ever performance in 2002 when they finished fourth as co-hosts alongside Japan, while they also reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Manager and tactics
Hong Myung-bo used a 4-2-3-1 system throughout qualification, but he has increasingly favoured back-three and back-five formations against stronger opposition. Son Heung-min is expected to operate centrally, with support arriving from wide areas and overlapping wing-backs.
Key player
Now playing for Los Angeles FC in MLS, Son Heung-min remains the nation’s biggest attacking threat. The former Tottenham Hotspur captain is closing in on South Korea’s all-time scoring record and still possesses the movement and finishing quality to decide tight matches.
Czech Republic
Current FIFA ranking: 41st
This will be the Czech Republic’s second World Cup appearance as an independent nation after their debut in 2006, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Narodak booked their place at the 2026 finals through the UEFA play-offs, edging past Denmark after a tense qualifying campaign.
Manager and tactics
Miroslav Koubek is currently the oldest manager at the tournament at 74 and took charge in December 2025 following Ivan Hasek’s departure. The Czechs generally line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation built around defensive organisation, wing-back width and quick transitions into Patrik Schick.
Key player
Patrik Schick remains the focal point in attack. The Bayer Leverkusen forward is a proven tournament performer whose aerial ability and penalty-box movement make him a constant threat.
South Africa
Current FIFA ranking: 60th
South Africa are back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 after finishing above Nigeria in qualifying. Bafana Bafana are still searching for their first appearance in the knockout rounds.
Manager and tactics
Veteran Belgian coach Hugo Broos prefers a compact 4-3-2-1 shape designed to exploit space on the counter-attack. Midfield discipline and defensive organisation remain central to South Africa’s approach.
Key player
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is arguably the most influential figure in the squad, although Burnley striker Lyle Foster provides their main attacking outlet.
2026 World Cup Group A fixtures and odds
Matchday 1
Mexico vs South Africa
- Mexico: 1.50
- Draw: 4.00
- South Africa: 5.50
South Korea vs Czech Republic
- South Korea: 2.60
- Draw: 3.20
- Czech Republic: 2.55
Matchday 2
Czech Republic vs South Africa
- Czech Republic: 1.95
- Draw: 3.20
- South Africa: 4.00
Mexico vs South Korea
- Mexico: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- South Korea: TBC
Matchday 3
Czech Republic vs Mexico
- Czech Republic: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- Mexico: TBC
South Africa vs South Korea
- South Africa: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- South Korea: TBC
2026 World Cup Group A group winners and qualification predictions
Group winner odds
- Mexico – 2.00
- South Korea – 4.33
- Czech Republic – 3.25
- South Africa – 13.00
To qualify odds
- Mexico – 1.11
- South Korea – 1.44
- Czech Republic – 1.25
- South Africa – 2.20
Note: All above odds were correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Mexico look the strongest side on paper given their home advantage and tournament experience, making them worthy favourites to top the group.
South Korea may hold a slight edge in the race for second place due to their experience on the global stage and tactical flexibility, although the Czech Republic possess enough organisation and physicality to challenge strongly for qualification.
Meanwhile, South Africa have shown enough defensive discipline and structure under Hugo Broos to frustrate opponents and potentially spring a surprise result.
Predicted finishing order
- Mexico
- South Korea
- Czech Republic
- South Africa
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi is a sports writer with more than four years’ experience covering football and other global sports. A lifelong Arsenal supporter since 2004, he writes with genuine passion and a sharp eye for the stories that shape the game.
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