2026 World Cup Group A: Results, Standings & Schedule

The 2026 World Cup Group A race is led by co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who both won their openers to sit on three points. Mexico became the first nation to host three World Cups when it launched the tournament against South Africa on June 11 at the rebuilt Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Czechia and South Africa are both still on zero and meet on June 18 (Matchday 2) in a game neither can afford to lose. The group runs from June 11 to June 24, with the top two advancing automatically to the Round of 32 and a third-placed route still in play.

2026 World Cup Group A Standings

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Mexico (H)	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	3
2	South Korea	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	3
3	Czechia	1	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0
4	South Africa	1	0	0	1	0	2	-2	0

Mexico top the group on goal difference after a clean sheet, with South Korea a goal behind. The top two reach the knockout stage, and the third-placed team can still advance as one of the eight best third-placed finishers across the 12 groups.

Group A Matchday 1 Results

Mexico 2-0 South Africa. El Tri opened the World Cup in front of a sold-out Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the tournament’s first goal and Raul Jimenez doubled the lead after the break. The match produced three red cards, a record for a World Cup opener, leaving South Africa with nine men. Cesar Montes (Mexico), Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane (South Africa) are all suspended for June 18.

South Korea 2-1 Czechia. Ladislav Krejci headed Czechia in front in the 59th minute, but South Korea hit back fast. Hwang In-beom equalised and then set up substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu for the 80th-minute winner, South Korea’s first opening-match victory since 2010.

Group A Match Schedule 2026

All times Eastern (ET). Mexico play all three group games on home soil.

Matchday 2, June 18

Match	Time	Venue
Czechia vs South Africa	12:00 PM	Atlanta
Mexico vs South Korea	9:00 PM	Guadalajara

Matchday 3, June 24

Match	Time	Venue
South Africa vs South Korea	9:00 PM	Monterrey
Czechia vs Mexico	9:00 PM	Mexico City

Mexico vs South Korea on June 18 in Guadalajara most likely decides who tops the group. Both Matchday 3 games kick off at the same time, so no team can sit on another result.

2026 FIFA World Cup Group A Teams

Team	FIFA Rank	Coach	Key Player
Mexico (host)	#14	Javier Aguirre	Raul Jimenez (Wolves)
South Korea	#25	Hong Myung-bo	Son Heung-min (LAFC)
Czechia	#40	Miroslav Koubek	Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
South Africa	#60	Hugo Broos	Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Mexico are in Javier Aguirre’s third spell in charge and arrived as group favourites after winning the 2025 Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League. Playing all three games at home, where altitude wears down visitors late, they were solid in a clean-sheet opener, though they lose Cesar Montes to suspension against South Korea.

South Korea are at their 11th straight World Cup (12th overall) and remain the only Asian side to reach a semi-final, back in 2002. Captain Son Heung-min, now at LAFC, leads what is likely his final World Cup, supported by Kim Min-jae in defence and Lee Kang-in in midfield. The comeback win over Czechia eased questions about squad depth.

Czechia are back after a 20-year absence, having won the European playoff final on penalties against Denmark in March under Miroslav Koubek, appointed in December 2025. They led South Korea before two quick goals cost them; a win over South Africa on June 18 would put them right back in contention.

South Africa are at their first World Cup since hosting in 2010. Hugo Broos has built an organised side around goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, one of the best on the continent, but the 2-0 opening loss and two suspensions leave them short for a must-win clash with Czechia.

Group A Venue Guide

Stadium	City	Capacity
Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca)	Mexico City	80,824
Estadio Akron	Guadalajara	48,071
Estadio BBVA	Monterrey	53,500
Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta	71,000

Three Mexican cities stage most of Group A, with one fixture in Atlanta. At 7,200 feet, the thin air at Estadio Azteca tires visiting teams late in games. Guadalajara and Monterrey are hot in June, while the Atlanta match is played indoors with climate control.

How to Watch Group A Matches

Country	TV	Streaming
USA	FOX, FS1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish)	Peacock, FOX Sports app
UK	ITV, BBC	ITVX, BBC iPlayer
Canada	CTV, TSN	CTV.ca
Australia	SBS	SBS On Demand
Mexico	Televisa, TV Azteca	ViX

In the United States, FOX and FS1 carry the English broadcasts, Telemundo and Universo cover Spanish, and every match streams on Peacock. Viewers elsewhere can use the table above to find their local channel.

2026 World Cup Group A Predictions

Mexico and South Korea both look set to advance, with the June 18 meeting deciding first place. Here is where each team stands going into Matchday 2:

• Mexico: A draw or win against South Korea would put them on the brink of topping the group, with home advantage carrying into the knockouts.
• South Korea: Level on points with Mexico and in control of their own fate after the comeback win.
• Czechia: Must beat South Africa to stay alive, then hope results elsewhere open a third-placed route.
• South Africa: Need to win their last two and rely on other groups, the hardest road of the four after the opening loss and two suspensions.

Group A Road to the Round of 32

• Group winner: June 30 in Mexico City, against one of the best third-placed teams (from Groups C, E, F, H or I).
• Runner-up: June 28 at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, against the Group B runner-up.

The 2026 World Cup Group A picture points to Mexico and South Korea reaching the knockout stage, with their June 18 clash in Guadalajara settling top spot. The group winner stays in Mexico City, a real edge that extends home advantage deep into the Round of 32.

2026 FIFA World Cup Group A FAQs