World Cup 2026 Group A Profile: Four Nations of Equal Strength

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Group A of the World Cup 2026 is predicted to be one of the most competitive groups from all the others. Although Mexico is the favorite and host, the strength of the four participating teams is relatively balanced, so the battle for a place in the round of 32 is certain to be tight.

Besides Mexico, Group A also includes South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. With the new World Cup format, which features 48 teams, the chances of qualifying are much greater, as the top three teams from each group advance to the knockout stage.

Here are the profiles of the four teams in Group A of the 2026 World Cup, compiled from various sources:

1. Mexico

Best World Cup achievement: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)

Best other tournament achievement: CONCACAF Gold Cup champion (13 times)

FIFA ranking: 15

Mexico automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts with the United States and Canada, as decided by the FIFA Council on February 14, 2023.

- Squad

Mexico's squad features a combination of players from Europe and the Americas. This tournament also has the potential to be the sixth World Cup for veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol).

Defenders: Israel Reyes (Club América), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Mateo Chávez (PSV).

Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Chivas), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahçe), Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana), César Huerta (Anderlecht), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow).

Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Armando González (Chivas), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham).

Coach: Javier Aguirre (Mexico). The coach, whose full name is Javier Aguirre Onaindía, has been in charge of the Mexican national team since July 22, 2024, and led El Tri to victory in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Key Player: Edson Alvarez. The defensive midfielder and team captain is a central figure in the midfield. Since his debut in 2017, he has made nearly 100 appearances for the national team.

- Match Schedule:

(June 12, 2026) 2:00 AM WIB Mexico vs. South Africa

(June 19, 2026) 8:00 AM WIB Mexico vs. South Korea

(June 25, 2026) 8:00 AM WIB Czech Republic vs. Mexico

2. South Africa

Best World Cup finish: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)

Best finish in other tournaments: Africa Cup of Nations champions (1996)

FIFA ranking: 60

South Africa confirmed their return to the World Cup on October 14, 2025, after finishing top of Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifying group, ahead of Nigeria (2nd) and Benin (3rd).

- Squad

South Africa's squad is largely comprised of players from within the country, supplemented by players from Europe and the United States.

Goalkeepers:Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela).

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol).

Coach: Hugo Broos (Belgium). The coach whose step name is Hugo Henri Broos has been in charge of the South African national team since May 5 2021 and led Bafana Bafana to third place in the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

Notable players: Ronwen Williams. This captain and goalkeeper is known as a penalty shootout specialist and possesses excellent ball distribution skills.

- Match Schedule:

(June 12, 2026) 2:00 AM WIB Mexico vs. South Africa

(June 18, 2026) 11:00 PM WIB Czech Republic vs. South Africa

(June 25, 2026) 8:00 AM WIB South Africa vs. South Korea

3. South Korea

Best World Cup finish: Fourth place (2002)

Best finish in other tournaments: Asian Cup champion (1956, 1960)

FIFA ranking: 25

South Korea remains the only Asian team to remain undefeated throughout the AFC qualifying campaign. The Taeguk Warriors secured their place in the finals after a 2-0 victory over Iraq on June 5, 2025, and finished top of Group B.

- Squad

South Korea's strength rests on many players who have played in Europe, such as Kim Minjae (Bayern Munich), Jens Castrop (Mönchengladbach), Hwang Heechan (Wolves), and Lee Kangin (PSG).

Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeonwoo (Ulsan), Kim Seunggyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bumkeun (Jeonbuk).

Defenders: Kim Minjae (Bayern Munich), Lee Hanbeom (Midtjylland), Kim Taehyeon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jinseob (Zhejiang), Lee Kihyuk (Gangwon), Lee Taeseok (Austria Wien), Seol Youngwoo (Red Star), Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Kim Moonhwan (Daejeon), Cho Wije (Jeonbuk).

Midfielders: Yang Hyunjun (Celtic), Paik Seungho (Birmingham City), Hwang Inbeom (Feyenoord), Kim Jinkyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Junho (Stoke City), Eom Jisung (Swansea City), Hwang Heechan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lee Donggyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jaesung (Mainz), Lee Kangin (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Oh Hyeongyu (Besiktas), Son Heungmin (LA FC), Cho Guesung (Midtjylland).

Coach: Hong Myungbo (South Korea). This former national team legend only took over as manager of South Korea on July 8, 2024, and has previous experience coaching clubs in the Korean League.

Key Player: Son Heungmin. Captain and central figure of the team. Son is an iconic winger renowned for his blistering pace and clinical finishing, despite now being 33 years old.

- Match Schedule:

(June 12, 2026) 9:00 AM WIB South Korea vs. Czech Republic

(June 19, 2026) 8:00 AM WIB Mexico vs. South Korea

(June 25, 2026) 8:00 AM WIB South Africa vs. South Korea

4. Czech Republic

Best World Cup finish: Second place (1934, 1962)

Best other tournament finish: Euro 1976 champions

FIFA ranking: 41

The Czech Republic qualified for the finals through the play-offs after finishing second in their UEFA qualifying group behind Croatia.

In the play-off semifinals, they eliminated Ireland on penalties after a 2-2 draw. In the final, the Czech Republic again won on penalties against Denmark after the score remained 2-2 after extra time.

- Squad

The Czech Republic squad features players primarily from European League competitions, including Matej Kovar (PSV), Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), and Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen).

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague).

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague).

Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Olympique Lyonnais), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen).

Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen).

Coach: Miroslav Koubek (Czech Republic). He took over the national team in December 2025 after a long career in domestic competitions.

Key Player: Patrik Schick. The Bayer Leverkusen striker is a mainstay of the front line and is known as one of the Czech Republic's most prolific attackers.

- Match schedule:

(June 12, 2026) 9:00 AM WIB South Korea vs. Czech Republic

(June 18, 2026) 11:00 PM WIB Czech Republic vs. South Africa

(June 25, 2026) 8:00 AM WIB Czech Republic vs. Mexico.

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