The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A is set to make history as the tournament kicks off with a revamped 48-team format across North America. As the opening group, Group A is the center of global attention, featuring the highly anticipated inaugural match at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition in the History of the FIFA World Cup. One of the biggest upcoming FIFA tournaments in 2026 will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A spans from June 21 to July 24, 2026. The FIFA tournament will take place across four stadiums, with the opening match of Group A scheduled at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in 16 stadiums across 16 host cities, featuring 48 teams. The knockout stage for Group A will occur on June 28, 2026.
Whether you are looking for the latest 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A teams, live standings, or detailed match fixtures, Stadiums, Players, sponsors, tickets, this guide provides everything you need to follow the action in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group A Teams, Standings, Matches & squads
Group A Teams Overview
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Czechia
(After the official World Cup 2026 draw is completed.)
Standings
2026 FIFA World Cup Group Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| 2 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 4 |
| 3 | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
Full FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A squads
Mexico National Soccer Team
- Confederation: CONCACAF (North America)
- Method of Qualification – Host Nation
- Head Coach: Javier Aguirre
- Captain: Edson Álvarez
- Key Players: Raúl Jiménez (Fulham, striker), Santiago Giménez (AC Milan, striker), Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahçe, midfielder, captain), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol, goalkeeper, veteran)
- FIFA Ranking: 15 (as of May 19, 2026)
Mexico World Cup 2026 Squads
Mexico’s 55-player list for the 2026 World Cup was released. The full FIFA World Cup 2026 Squads announced on 22 May for Mexican players.
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao), Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Tijuana), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca)
Defenders: Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar), Julian Araujo (Celtic), Israel Reyes (America), Richard Ledezma (Chivas), Everardo Lopez (Toluca), Denzell Garcia (FC Juarez), Jesus Alberto Angulo (Tigres), Bryan Alonso Gonzalez (Chivas), Victor Guzman (Monterrey), Ramon Juarez (America), Alejandro Jesus Gomez (Tijuana), Eduardo Aguila (Atletico San Luis), Luis Rey (Puebla)
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Chivas), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Efrain Alvarez (Chivas), Diego Lainez (Tigres), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Erick Sanchez (America), Alexei Dominguez (Pachuca), Jesus Ricardo Angulo (Toluca), Jeremy Marquez (Cruz Azul), Jordan Carrillo (Pumas), Isaias Violante (America), Kevin Castañeda (Tijuana), Alexis Gutierrez (America)
Forwards: Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Julian Quiñones (Al Qadsiah), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Armando Gonzalez (Chivas), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls), German Berterame (Inter Miami)
South Africa National Soccer Team
- Confederation: CAF (Africa)
- Method of Qualification – CAF Group C winners
- Head Coach: Hugo Broos
- Captain: Ronwen Williams
- Key Players:
- FIFA Ranking: 60 (as of May 19, 2026)
South Africa World Cup 2026 Squads
South Africa is set to announce their final squad on May 27.
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Keegan Allan (AmaZulu), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Malingonwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Fezile Ngacaba (Durban City), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England)
Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mthetheleli Mthinyane (Stellenbosch), Masindi Nemtajela (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanaganyi (both Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns).
South Korea National Soccer Team
- Confederation: AFC (Asia)
- Method of Qualification – AFC third round Group B winners
- Head Coach: Hong Myung-bo
- Captain: Son Heung-min
- Key Players: Lyle Foster (Burnley, striker), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns, goalkeeper), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns, midfielder), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns, defender)
- FIFA Ranking: 25 (as of May 19, 2026)
South Korea World Cup 2026 Squads
- Captain: Son Heung-min
- Coach: Hong Myung-bo
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Cho Yu-min (Sharjah), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang FC), Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC)
Midfielders: Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic)
Forwards: Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC, captain), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş)
Czechia (Czech Republic) National Soccer Team
- Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
- Method of Qualification – UEFA Second Round Winner
- Head Coach: Miroslav Koubek (appointed December 2025)
- Captain: Ladislav Krejčí
- Key Players: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen, striker), Tomáš Souček (West Ham United, midfielder), Vladimír Coufal (Hoffenheim, defender), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolves, defender, captain)
- FIFA Ranking: 41 (as of May 19, 2026)
Czechia Soccer World Cup 2026 Squads
- Captain: Ladislav Krejčí
- Coach: Miroslav Koubek
Goalkeepers: Matěj Kovář (PSV), Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Prague), Martin Jedlička (Baník Ostrava), Lukáš Horníček (Braga), Antonín Kinský (Tottenham Hotspur), Jan Koutný (Sigma Olomouc), Jakub Markovič (Slavia Prague)
Defenders: Vladimír Coufal (TSG Hoffenheim), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton Wanderers), David Zima (Slavia Prague), Jaroslav Zelený (Sparta Prague), David Jurásek (Slavia Prague), David Douděra (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranáč (TSG Hoffenheim), Václav Jemelka (Viktoria Plzeň), Martin Vitík (Bologna), Štěpán Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), Tomáš Vlček (Slavia Prague), Matěj Hadaš (Sigma Olomouc), Adam Ševínský (Sparta Prague), Karel Spáčil (Viktoria Plzeň)
Midfielders: Tomáš Souček (West Ham United), Vladimír Darida (Hradec Králové), Lukáš Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadílek (Slavia Prague), Pavel Šulc (Lyon), Lukáš Červ (Viktoria Plzeň), Adam Karabec (Lyon), Michal Beran (Sigma Olomouc), Lukáš Sadílek (Górnik Zabrze), Kryštof Daněk (LASK), Matěj Ryneš (Sparta Prague), Patrik Hellebrand (Górnik Zabrze), Tomáš Ladra (Viktoria Plzeň), Lukáš Ambros (Górnik Zabrze), Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati), Ondřej Kričfaluši (Baník Ostrava), David Planka (Baník Ostrava), Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzeň), Denis Višinský (Viktoria Plzeň)
Forwards: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Matěj Vydra (Viktoria Plzeň), Adam Hložek (TSG Hoffenheim), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Tomáš Chorý (Slavia Prague), Mojmír Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kliment (Sigma Olomouc), Vasil Kušej (Slavia Prague), Václav Sejk (Sigma Olomouc), Christophe Kabongo (Mladá Boleslav), Ondřej Mihálik (Hradec Králové), Vojtěch Patrák (Pardubice)
2026 FIFA World Cup Group A Schedule and Results
Full article ➤ The Group stage fixtures of the FIFA World Cup and the full match schedule in the World Cup.
List of All Stadiums ➤ 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadiums List
| Date | Match | Score | Match Number | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 11 13:00 UTC−6 | Mexico vs South Africa | 2–0 | Match 1 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| June 11 20:00 UTC−6 | South Korea vs Czechia | 2–1 | Match 2 | Estadio Akron, Zapopan |
| June 18 12:00 UTC−4 | Czechia vs South Africa | 1–1 | Match 25 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| June 18 19:00 UTC−6 | Mexico vs South Korea | 1–0 | Match 28 | Estadio Akron, Zapopan |
| June 24 19:00 UTC−6 | Czechia vs Mexico | 0–3 | Match 53 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| June 24 19:00 UTC−6 | South Africa vs South Korea | 1–0 | Match 54 | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, México |
Group A Teams in Round of 32
Switzerland and Canada advanced to the knockout stage from World Cup Group B, finishing 1st and 2nd, respectively. The third team will decide after evaluating the rankings of the third-placed teams. The best eight teams will qualify.
Group A teams in the Round of 32
| Date & Time | Match | Score | Match Number | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 28 (12:00 UTC−7) | South Africa vs Canada | – | Match 73 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| June 30 ( 19:00 UTC−6) | Mexico vs 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I | – | Match 79 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
Qualification Format
- The top 2 teams from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A will automatically advance to the Round of 32.
- Best 3rd-placed teams (8 out of 12 groups) also have a chance to qualify.
Why Group A is Interesting
- Mexico’s pressure as host: Opening match against South Africa is a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener.
- South Korea’s pedigree: Known for their 2002 semifinal run, they are strong contenders.
- Czechia’s comeback: Returning to the World Cup after 20 years.
- South Africa’s challenge: Looking to progress beyond the group stage for the first time.
