2026 FIFA World Cup Group A: A balanced group packed with contrasting styles

Group A offers one of the most intriguing mixes of styles and storylines at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Co-hosts Mexico enter under intense pressure, seeking to finally end the long-standing "fifth game curse" that has prevented them from reaching the quarter-finals since 1986. Backed by passionate home support and the iconic Estadio Azteca, El Tri are favourites to top the group.

South Africa arrive as ambitious outsiders eager to prove they belong on the global stage after years of inconsistency. South Korea, meanwhile, continue to rely on veteran star Son Heung-min, whose leadership and goals could determine whether they advance from a competitive section. The Czech Republic bring a disciplined, physical approach built around organisation, set pieces and the finishing ability of Patrik Schick.

With no clear weak link and contrasting football philosophies on display, Group A promises a tightly contested battle where experience, resilience and key moments could decide who progresses to the knockout rounds.

Mexico's World Cup 'curse' faces ultimate test on home soil

Mexico will become the first country to host three World Cups when the renovated Estadio Azteca again takes centre stage from June 11, but beneath the historic milestone lies a national team still wrestling with decades of disappointment and instability.

The weight of "la maldicion del quinto partido" — the failure to reach the quarter-finals since 1986 — has haunted Mexican football for generations.

Since 1994, Mexico had repeatedly advanced from the group stage only to painfully fall in the round of 16 and at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar they found a way to make the curse worse by not making it to a fourth match for the first time since 1978.

The fallout triggered promises of structural reform across Mexican football, with federation officials speaking about reviving the promotion and relegation league system, reducing foreign players in the Liga MX and improving youth pathways.

Critics and fans believe little has really changed. Instead, the national team has lurched through another cycle of turmoil.

Argentine manager Diego Cocca lasted just seven matches in 2023 before Jaime Lozano took over and briefly restored optimism by winning the Gold Cup, only to be dismissed after Mexico crashed out in the 2024 Copa America group stage.

Javier Aguirre, now in his third spell as coach, was brought back to steady the ship before the home World Cup.

His results have been more consistent, underpinned by two recent CONCACAF trophies, but doubts remain about the team's identity, lack of top-tier players and a growing rift with fans, who boo the team at home matches after years of frustration.

Mexico, drawn alongside South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic in Group A, are expected to make the most of home advantage and progress as group winners.

That could hand the hosts a manageable last-32 tie before a possible clash with England or Croatia later in the tournament.

The iconic Estadio Azteca, which staged the 1970 and 1986 finals, offers hope as Mexico did not lose a match there in those tournaments.

Former Mexico midfielder Leonardo Cuellar recently told Reuters he believes this could finally be the year Mexico break the curse, helped by home support and Aguirre's experience.

Yet for a football-obsessed country that measures World Cups in heartbreak as much as victories, belief alone has rarely been enough.

SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Acevedo
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Mateo Chavez
Midfielders: Erik Lira, Orbelin Pineda, Alvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo, Edson Alvarez, Obed Vargas, Gilberto Mora, Luis Chavez.
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Cesar Huerta, Alexis Vega, Julian Quinones, Guillermo Martinez, Armando Gonzalez, Santiago Gimenez, Raul Jimenez

South Africa hope for World Cup boost after failing to capitalise on 2010

South Africa failed to generate momentum after hosting the World Cup in 2010 but following a long period of stagnation they have a chance to become consistent competitors on the global stage.

Hopes that the first World Cup on the African continent would help to turn South Africa into a continental powerhouse fizzled out due to a succession of mediocre coaches and a steady stream of administrative controversies.

South Africa failed to qualify for three successive World Cups after 2010 and also missed out on three Africa Cup of Nations thanks to some poor performances on the field and stunning mistakes off it.

A disastrous error by then-coach Pitso Mosimane, who failed to read the rules, botched their chances of reaching the 2012 Cup of Nations after he played for a draw instead of going for a win in a decisive qualifier.

In the latest World Cup qualifying campaign, South Africa were docked three points for fielding a suspended player because they failed to keep an accurate tally of cautions received.

That turned a comfortable lead over Nigeria in their group into a scramble for points at the end of the campaign last October before South Africa finished one point clear.

However, the fact that they pipped Nigeria to automatic qualification despite the sanction points to the potential of their playing group.

They draw most of their players from clubs in the country, notably Mamelodi Sundowns, who were African Champions League winners last month.

The South African league is widely regarded as the most competitive on the continent which means there is less incentive for players to seek a move to Europe.

But there could be interest in several of their top players if South Africa impress at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup in North America.

They play Mexico in the tournament opener on June 11 before facing Czech Republic and South Korea, and coach Hugo Broos thinks they could spring a surprise or two in Group A.

"When we are at our best level, with the quality in this team, then we can make some surprises in the World Cup," said Broos, who played for Belgium at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

"We are also a team that not too many people know, so that could be good for us."

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

Goals dry up for South Korea's favourite Son ahead of World Cup

South Korean fans have long wondered who will provide the goals when Son Heung-min hangs up his boots, but if the 33-year-old striker's scoring slump continues heading into the World Cup some may feel now is the time to let someone else lead the line.

Son has plenty of credit in the bank after carrying the national team on his shoulders for years and is likely to be the first name on coach Hong Myung-bo's team sheet for Korea's opening Group A game against the Czech Republic on June 11.

His international performances, as well as for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, earned him superstar status back home but after swapping Spurs for Los Angeles FC in 2025 there have been signs that his sharpness in front of goal may be fading.

Son failed to score in 13 straight league games to start the 2026 season and while he continues to provide assists for LAFC South Korea rely heavily on his goals.

With 56 international goals he trails only Cha Bum-kun (58) on South Korea's all-time scoring list. The next highest scorer in Hong's squad is Hwang Hee-chan with 17 but the Wolverhampton Wanderers man tends to play as a wide forward rather than a central striker.

Son looked more like his old self with a double in South Korea's 5-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly on Saturday but if the goals do not start to flow more regularly, Hong may look to play him in a support role with Oh Hyeon-gyu leading the line.

The former Celtic forward has made an immediate impact since joining Besiktas and would offer a more physical presence.

Son was close to ending his international career after Korea's semi-final exit at the Asian Cup in 2024 and it is unlikely he will stay on after the World Cup.

His exit will leave Korea short on leadership and star power with only Lee Kang-in at Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae plying their trade at elite-level European clubs.

The Koreans know they must take something from their group opener against an experienced Czech side if they are to advance, with co-hosts Mexico sure to prove a tougher test on home soil in their second match.

They close out their group campaign against South Africa.

Most pundits give the Koreans little chance of going beyond the round of 16 but in their 11th straight World Cup appearance they are more than capable of springing a surprise and few will forget their run to the semi-finals on home soil in 2002.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun, Jo Hyeon-woo.
Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hyeon, Park Jin-seop, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Lee Ki-hyeok, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Han-beom, Cho Yu-min.
Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, Lee Kang-in, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan.
Forwards: Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Cho Gue-sung.

Physical Czechs will look to win ugly to qualify from Group A

Lacking the kind of big-name stars who led the Czech Republic at their last World Cup appearance in 2006, this time around the team will rely on winning ugly with combative, physical play aimed at grinding out results against more technical opponents.

Coach Miroslav Koubek stamped his authority on the team after taking over following a shock qualifying loss to the Faroe Islands and guided the Czechs through the playoffs to reach this year's tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

One of the 74-year-old's first decisions was benching West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek, who had already lost the captain's armband in November after the players failed to thank the fans following a 6-0 qualifying win over Gibraltar.

Koubek's pragmatic approach of defending deep and utilising height at set pieces will be a mainstay as the Czechs return for their first World Cup since 2006 when they featured creative players such as Tomas Rosicky and Ballon d'Or winner Pavel Nedved.

"I don't expect an attractive style of play from the team but rather disciplined and combative play focused on quick counter-attacks and set pieces," former national team player, sporting director and soccer expert Stanislav Levy told Reuters.

"That approach isn't pretty to watch but it could be the key to advancing out of the group."
The Czechs kick off their World Cup campaign against South Korea on June 11 before facing South Africa and tournament co-host Mexico in Group A.

While organisational discipline and outmuscling opponents will feature heavily, a handful of players led by Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick -- who finished Euro 2020 as joint top scorer -- can provide attacking threats.

Hoffenheim striker Adam Hlozek, ⁠who is back from injury, offers another experienced option up front while attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc -- who has 11 goals and three assists in Ligue 1 for Olympique Lyonnais -- is peaking at the right time.

Soucek's return to the starting lineup for their playoff final win over Denmark gives Koubek a reliable option in central midfield along with 35-year-old Vladimir Darida, who earned a recall after impressing in the Czech top tier this season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers centre back Ladislav Krejci anchors a rugged backline that features Hoffenheim defender Vladimir Coufal and PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Matej Kovar.

"The Czech style won't enrich the world of football but a pragmatic approach is the key to advancing," Levy said.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga) Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven) Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim) David Doudera (Slavia Prague) Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague) Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim) Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague) David Jurasek (Slavia Prague) Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton) Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague) David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen) Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove) Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague) Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague) Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague) Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen) Tomas Soucek (West Ham) Pavel Sulc (Olympique Lyonnais) Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)
Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim) Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague) Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague) Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague) Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)