WC 2026 is the biggest edition yet, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament features 12 groups of four, where the top 2 from each group and the 8 best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
Group A brings together Mexico, Korea Republic, Czechia and South Africa.
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Group A WC 2026 Standings and Table
| Pos | Team | Ranking | Win Group | To Qualify | Squad Value | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 15th | 2.00 | 1.14 | 169M EUR | Advance |
| 2 | Czechia | 36th | 3.50 | 1.35 | 181M EUR | Advance |
| 3 | Korea Republic | 20th | 3.75 | 1.40 | 137M EUR | Best 3rd? |
| 4 | South Africa | 42nd | 12.00 | 2.15 | 41M EUR | Eliminated |
Please note: displayed odds may have changed since publication and are subject to updates.
Group A Odds, Predictions and Betting Tips
Based on market values, Czechia and Mexico appear to be the strongest teams, followed closely by Korea Republic. South Africa has a significantly lower market value, suggesting they are the underdog in this group.
| Team | Win Group | Top 2 | Top 3 | To Qualify | Finish Bottom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2.00 | 1.25 | 1.10 | 1.14 | 8.00 |
| Czechia | 3.50 | 1.85 | 1.25 | 1.35 | 4.00 |
| Korea Republic | 3.75 | 2.05 | 1.25 | 1.40 | 4.00 |
| South Africa | 12.00 | 3.7 | 1.95 | 2.15 | 2.05 |
Group A Winner Market
Who will win Group A?
Mexico
2.00
Czechia
3.50
Korea Republic
3.75
South Africa
12.00
Odds subject to change. 21+. T&Cs apply.
Betting Tips for Group A
Top bet types for this group: Group Winner; Both Teams to Score in Mexico vs Czechia; Over 2.5 Goals. Use the BetBuilder to combine multiple markets into a single bet.
Group A - WC 2026 Teams
Mexico - Overview and Odds
Qualified as co-host.
Czechia - Overview and Odds
World Ranking
36th
Squad Value
181M EUR
Coach
Miroslav Koubek (Czech)
Win Group Odds
3.50
Qualified via UEFA Group L; UEFA Play-offs (2nd in group, won play-offs, 5-3-2, 16 pts).
Korea Republic - Overview and Odds
World Ranking
25th
Squad Value
137M EUR
Coach
Hong Myung-bo (Korea Republic)
Win Group Odds
3.75
Qualified viaconvincing 2-0 victory against 10-man Iraq at Basra International Stadium on 5 June.
South Africa - Overview and Odds
World Ranking
43th
Squad Value
41M EUR
Coach
Hugo Broos (Belgian)
Win Group Odds
12.00
Qualified via CAF Group C (1st, 5-3-2, 18 pts).
Group A Schedule, Fixtures and Match Dates
Round 1 - 11 June 2026
Mexico vs South Africa
Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City
Korea Republic vs Czechia
Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara
Round 2 - 18 June 2026
Czechia vs South Africa
Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta
Mexico vs Korea Republic
Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara
Round 3 - 25 June 2026
South Africa vs Korea Republic
Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey
Czechia vs Mexico
Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City
Stadiums and Venues for Group A
| Stadium | City | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City Stadium | Mexico City | 2 |
| Guadalajara Stadium | Guadalajara | 2 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | 1 |
| Monterrey Stadium | Monterrey | 1 |
Potential Round of 32 Matchups for Group A
Group A Winner
vs Best 3rd from C/E/F/H/I (Seattle)
Group A Runner-up
vs Runner-up Group B ( Los Angeles)
Last 5 Games for Group A Teams
Mexico
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2026 | Belgium | 1-1 | D | Friendly |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Portugal | 0-0 | D | Friendly |
| Feb 25, 2026 | Iceland | 4-0 | W | Friendly |
| Jan 25, 2026 | Bolivia | 1-0 | W | Friendly |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Panama | 1-0 | W | Friendly |
Czechia
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31 2026 | Denmark | 2-2 | D | European Qualifiers |
| Mar 26 2026 | Republic of Ireland | 2-2 | D | European Qualifiers |
| Nov 17 2025 | Gibraltar | 6-0 | W | European Qualifiers |
| Nov 13 2025 | San Marino | 1-0 | W | Friendly |
| Oct 12 2025 | Faroe Islands | 1-2 | L | European Qualifiers |
Korea Republic
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | Austria | 0-1 | L | Friendly |
| March 28, 2026 | Ivory Coast | 0-4 | L | Friendly |
| November 18, 2025 | Ghana | 1-0 | W | Friendly |
| November 14, 2025 | Bolivia | 2-0 | W | Friendly |
| October 14, 2025 | Paraguay | 2-0 | W | Friendly |
South Africa
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | Panama | 1-2 | L | Friendly |
| March 27, 2026 | Panama | 1-1 | D | Friendly |
| January 4, 2026 | Cameroon | 1-2 | L | CAF AFCON |
| December 29, 2025 | Zimbabwe | 2-3 | W | CAF AFCON |
| December 26, 2025 | Egypt | 1-0 | L | CAF AFCON |
Head-to-Head History: Group A
| Matchup | Record | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | 0-1-1 | 2010 WC opening match, a 1-1 draw. |
| Mexico vs Korea Republic | 4-1-1 | 2018 WC group stage, Mexico won 2-1. |
| Mexico vs Czechia | 1-0-2 | 1962 WC, Mexico's first WC win, 3-1 against Czechoslovakia. |
| South Africa vs Korea Republic | 1-1-1 | NA. |
| South Africa vs Czechia | No record | First ever meeting |
| Korea Republic vs Czechia | 1-0-0 | NA. |
FAQ about Group A at WC 2026
Which teams are in Group A?
Group A consists of Mexico, Korea Republic, Czechia and South Africa.
Who will win Group A?
Czechia is the favorite due to their higher squad market value and strong European footballing tradition. Mexico is a close contender, often performing well in group stages.
When does Group A start playing?
Group A kicks off on 11 June 2026.
What are the winning odds for Group A?
Mexico: 2.00 | Czechia: 3.50 | Korea Republic: 3.75 | South Africa: 12.00
How many teams advance from Group A?
The top 2 teams advance directly. The 3rd-placed team may also qualify as one of the 8 best third-placed teams.
What is WC 2026 format?
48 teams in 12 groups of 4. Top 2 + 8 best 3rd-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. 104 matches across 16 venues in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
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