Group A – 2026 FIFA World Cup – Who Wins the Group?

By Keith Richards

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins at 1:00 PM EST on June 11^th.  Group A will be front and center.  Mexico, one of the three host nations, kicks off the festivities by facing South Africa at Mexico City Stadium.  With 48 teams in the tournament, there are not many groups one would consider non-competitive.  Group A is not one of the non-competitive groups.

Each team in Group A has been in at least three World Cups.  The teams of Group A are below:

• Mexico – 18 appearances, two quarterfinals
• South Africa – Three appearances, yet to make the Knockout Stage
• Korea Republic – 12 appearances, fourth-place finish in 2002
• Czechia – 10 appearances total (two as Czechia), two-time runners-up

Let’s take a look at each team before deciding on the group winner.

Mexico – 15^th in FIFA Rankings

Coming into Group A, Mexico ranks the highest at 15^th.  Historically, Mexico has been the most successful team in CONCACAF.  Canada and the United States are closing the gap, but Mexico is still king.  Mexico has 15 continental CONCACAF titles (10 Gold Cups, 3 CONCACAF Championships, one Nations League title, and one CONCACAF Cup).  In its last five friendlies ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, El Tri has three wins and two draws.

The Mexicans were able to beat Panama, Bolivia, and Iceland.  However, they could not overcome Portugal and Belgium, which was much stiffer competition. The 2022 FIFA World Cup marks what many feel could be the downfall of El Tri on the world stage.  Though they currently rank 15^th, how good the Mexicans are is a matter of question.  Before 2022, Mexico reached the Round of 16 in seven straight World Cup competitions.  The pressure this year, though, is a little higher.

As a host nation and a traditional power in this hemisphere, Mexico will look to its fans to help its team return to glory.  El Tri has not reached the quarterfinals since 1986.  The road will be tough, but a quarterfinal run is not out of the question.  They have to make it out of the group stage first.

South Africa – 60^th in FIFA Rankings

South Africa enters Group A as the lowest-ranked team, at 60^th.  Historically, you would not call the African side a CAF powerhouse.  Lovingly known as Bafana Bafana, the single greatest achievement of South Africa is winning the 1996 AFCON.  Since then, they’ve finished as runner-up once (1998) and third place twice (2000 and 2023).  The team did not compete in the tournament between 1957 and 1992 because they were banned due to apartheid, but we won’t get into that today.

Much like AFCON, Bafana Bafana was banned from several World Cup competitions, with apartheid being the reason why.  They have been eligible for participation since 1994.  Since then, they have qualified for three World Cups (2002 and 2010).  In 2010, they qualified as the host nation and have not yet made it out of the group stage.  It’s tough to envision the 2026 FIFA World Cup being the year South Africa makes it to the knockout stage.

Korea Republic – 25^th in FIFA Rankings

Many confuse the two Korean teams regarding FIFA.  There are the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  Korea Republic is South Korea, which is in Group A.  Korea DPR is North Korea, who did not qualify.  The Tigers of Asia have historically been one of the most successful teams in the AFC and across Asia as a whole.  They are three-time defending Asian Games champions, five-time winners of the EAFF E-1 football championship, and two-time winners of the AFC Asian Cup.

While Iran is the rising star of the AFC, the Tigers of Asia are still formidable opponents in the region.  Entering Group A, Korea Republic is competing in their 11^th consecutive World Cup.  Their best finish was fourth place in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament.  Since then, they’ve reached the Round of 16 twice, including in 2022.  Mexico is arguably the favorite to win Group A, but Korea Republic is a very close second.

Czechia – 41^st in FIFA Rankings

Last, but certainly not least, we have Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic.  When Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Czechia found immediate success.  In their first competitive match in 1996, during the UEFA Euro qualifying season, they defeated Malta 6-1.  Czechia then reached the 1996 UEFA Euro Final, where they lost 2-1 to Germany. 

Since 1996, their best finish was in 2004 when they finished third.  They’ve also reached the quarterfinals twice as well.  Czechia’s best finish in the World Cup came in 1934 and 1962 as Czechoslovakia.  Since becoming Czechia, this is only the second World Cup appearance for the country.  In the 2006 World Cup, they did not make it out of the group stage.  I certainly do not believe they will win the group, but them making it out of Group A is intriguing.

The Prediction

As I stated above, I do not believe this is the year that South Africa makes it out of the group stage.  So, that leaves Mexico, Korea Republic, and Czechia.  Two for sure will make it out of the group, and one has a possibility to move on.  I think it will be interesting, but only two teams will make it out of this group. They will be Mexico and Korea Republic. 

Who wins the group?  That’s a tough pick.  I do feel that Korea Republic is capable of upsetting Mexico.  However, Mexico is playing on its home turf.  Ask any North American team, El Tri is difficult to defeat at home.  For that reason, it will be Mexico that wins Group A.

What are your thoughts?  Who do you have as the winner of Group A, and who is the runner-up?  Let us know!  Stay tuned for the analysis of the other groups as well!