World Cup 2026 — Group A

World Cup 2026 Group A opens the tournament with the host nation front and center. Mexico kicks off the entire competition against South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca — a ground that has witnessed two World Cup finals and Diego Maradona's Goal of the Century. With co-host pressure and home fans behind them, El Tri are the clear favorites. Santiago Giménez and Hirving Lozano give them genuine attacking threat. Korea Republic arrive with Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae — a Premier League pedigree that makes them the most dangerous second-place challenger. Czechia, led by Patrik Schick and Tomáš Souček, are no pushovers and could cause an upset on a good day. South Africa, the tournament's sentimental favorite as a first-time host-nation opponent, will fight for every point. Expect Mexico to top the group, with Korea Republic and Czechia scrapping hard for second place.