2026 World Cup Group A Guide: Teams, Fixtures, Predictions and Latest Odds

The 2026 World Cup opens in Mexico City, where co‑hosts Mexico begin the tournament against South Africa.

Group A at the 2026 World Cup looks quite open, bringing together one of CONCACAF’s most consistent performers, two European and Asian sides with recent major‑tournament pedigree, and a South African team returning to the finals for the first time since 2010.

Football Whispers breaks down Group A in full, including fixtures, latest odds and predictions.

Group A winners odds

• Mexico – 10/11
• Czech Republic – 12/5
• South Korea – 10/3
• South Africa – 12/1

Mexico enter as favourites, supported by home advantage and a squad with continuity across recent tournaments. The Czech Republic and South Korea sit closely behind, while South Africa are priced as the outsiders.

Group A qualification odds

• Mexico – 1/9
• Czech Republic – 1/4
• South Korea – 4/9
• South Africa – 11/10

The market strongly expects Mexico to progress. South Korea and the Czech Republic are projected to compete directly for second place, with South Africa needing an upset or two to advance.

Note: All odds correct at time of publishing.

Group A fixtures: match-by-match schedule

Gameweek 1

• Mexico vs South Africa
  • Mexico: 1/2
  • Draw: 14/5
  • South Africa: 5/1

• South Korea vs Czech Republic
  • South Korea: 6/4
  • Draw: 9/4
  • Czech Republic: 13/8

Gameweek 2

• Czech Republic vs South Africa
  • Czech Republic: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • South Africa: TBC

• Mexico vs South Korea
  • Mexico: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • South Korea: TBC

Gameweek 3

• South Africa vs South Korea
  • South Africa: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • South Korea: TBC

• Czech Republic vs Mexico
  • Czech Republic: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Mexico: TBC

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2026 World Cup Group A prediction and betting angles

Mexico

Mexico return to hosting duties for the first time since 1986 and arrive in strong competitive form. They won the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup, and currently sit 15th in FIFA's world rankings.

The squad blends domestic league regulars with European experience. The reliable presence of captain Edson Álvarez anchors the midfield, while Fulham talisman Raúl Jiménez remains an important option in attack. The major question mark is Santiago Giménez, whose injuries in Italy have limited his minutes, but if fit, he provides Mexico’s most natural goalscoring threat.

With home advantage and a balanced group, Mexico are well placed to reach the knockout stages.

South Africa

South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010. They topped their qualifying group ahead of Nigeria, securing their place through consistent defensive performances.

The squad is largely home‑based, giving the team some continuity, and Lyle Foster is one of the few players operating in a major European league and has scored ten goals in 24 caps, offering a clear focal point in attack.

Bafana Bafana will enter as the underdogs, but their qualifying record – where they finished ahead of Nigeria by one point – suggests they could at least remain competitive in some matches.

South Korea

South Korea appear at their 11th consecutive World Cup, having qualified unbeaten ahead of China, scoring 20 goals and conceding just once along the way.

Their squad features more Europe‑based players than at any point in their history. While a new generation has emerged, Premier League fans will recognise former Spurs favourite Son Heung‑min, who remains the team’s captain and central figure. Kim Min‑jae has also become a key defender at Bayern Munich.

Their recent World Cup record includes a Round of 16 appearance in 2022, highlighted by a group‑stage win over Portugal. They enter Group A with a realistic chance of progressing again.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006 after navigating the playoffs. They came from 2–0 down to beat the Republic of Ireland on penalties, then eliminated a heavily-favoured Denmark in another shootout.

Their squad features established European performers, including towering West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček and Wolves defender Ladislav Krejčí, who captains the nation, while Patrik Schick remains their most reliable option up top with 25 international goals.

The Czechs may lack the attacking depth of Mexico or South Korea, but their resilience in qualifying suggests they can compete for second place.

Final Group A prediction

1. Mexico
2. South Korea
3. Czech Republic
4. South Africa

Group A best bets

• Mexico to win Group A (10/11)
• South Korea to qualify (4/9)

Mexico’s consistency and home advantage give them a clear edge for top spot, while South Korea’s qualifying record and emerging squad depth position them well to secure a knockout place.

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