The FIFA World Cup 2026 will kick off with the Mexico vs South Africa clash in group A, the other two teams being the Korea Republic and Czechia. Co-hosts Mexico are hosting the World Cup after 1970 and 1986, but this time with the USA and Canada.
Mexico – World Rank 15
This will be El Tricolor’s 18th appearance in the FIFA World Cup.
Javier Aguirre – The Coach
A veteran from the 1986 squad took charge of his national team in July last year. This is his third stint as the Mexico head coach, first being in the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea, where they exited from the Round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to the USA.
El Vasco, as he is fondly called, speaking to FIFA in March 2025, had said: “We’re all focused on the end goal, which is for Mexico to have our best-ever World Cup.”
Santiago Giménez – The Main Man
The AC Milan striker is likely to be Aguirre’s main man in the Mexican attack. The 25-year-old, by birth Argentine, chose to play for Mexico, having grown up in the country. He debuted for Mexico in 2021 and scored the winner in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.
Gilberto Mora – Shooting star
The 17-year-old will be the youngest player in the tournament. The Tijuana attacking midfielder represented Mexico in their triumphant 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign and also in the FIFA U-20 World Cup later that year.
Fixtures
11 June, vs South Africa, Mexico City Stadium
18 June, vs Korea Republic, Estadio Guadalajara
24 June, vs Czechia, Mexico City Stadium
World Cup highlights
Mexico’s best World Cup campaigns came in the editions they hosted — quarter-finals, in both 1970 and 1986. They’ve played 60 World Cup matches, and their biggest victory came against El Salvador — a 4-0 win in the 1970 edition, at the Estadio Azteca.
Prediction
With South Africa, Czechia and Korea Republic in the group, Mexico are certainly one of the favourites to go through to the next round. They’re likely to finish as the group toppers.
Korea Republic – World Rank 25
FIFA World Cup 2026 will be Korea’s 11th consecutive appearance at the football extravaganza; however, they debuted in the 1954 edition in Switzerland.
Hong Myungbo – The Coach
Former national team player and coach, Hong returned to national duties after 10 years, replacing Jurgen Klinsmann in July 2024. Previously, he led the Taegeuk Tigers to an historic bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.
Kim Min-jae – The Main Man
The 6ft 3 in centre-back will be marshalling the Korean defence and will be one of the key players in Hong Myungbo’s tactics. Though eyes will be on the veteran star, Heung-min Son, who currently plays for Los Angeles FC in the MLS, the Bayern Munich defender, in his prime, will be one of the top defenders to watch out for in this World Cup.
Bae Jun-ho – The Shooting Star
Stoke City No. 10, Bae, will be a powerhouse in Korea’s attack in the North American World Cup. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder and winger, comfortable using both feet, debuted for Korea in the World Cup qualifiers against Singapore, where he scored a goal.
Fixtures
11 June, vs Czechia, Estadio Guadalajara
18 June, vs Mexico, Estadio Guadalajara
24 June, vs South Africa, Estadio Monterrey
World Cup Highlights
Debuting in 1954, the Republic of Korea have appeared 12 times at the FIFA World Cup, with their best performance a fourth-place finish in 2002, the edition they co-hosted with Japan. All of Korea’s biggest victories in the World Cup came by a margin of two goals, the most memorable one perhaps being against Poland in 2002, their first recorded win in a World Cup match, and the most iconic one has to be against Germany in Russia 2018, where they beat the defending champions by a stoppage-time winner by Son.
Prediction
A star-studded side with a mixture of young and experienced candidates from top European clubs, Korea should make the next round, if not till the round of 16 at least.
South Africa – World Rank 60
This will be Bafana Bafana’s 4th appearance in the World Cup, first since they hosted in 2010.
Hugo Broos – The Coach
The Belgian tactician took charge of the team in May 2021 and has made several changes to rejuvenate the squad. He debuted some promising youngsters like Thalente Matha, Evidence Makgopa and more who played important roles in the qualifiers. Under him, South Africa secured a third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON.
Lyle Foster – The Main Man
The 25-year-old Burnley forward brings the Premier League experience into the squad. He’ll be one of the main attackers for Hugo Broos’s team.
Ime Okon – The Shooting Star
Okon is a 22-year-old defender who signed a four-year deal with the German side Hannover 96 at the start of the 2025-26 season and was a regular starter for them.
Fixtures
11 June, vs Mexico – Mexico City Stadium
18 June, vs Czechia – Atlanta Stadium
24 June, vs Korea Republic – Estadio Monterrey
World Cup Highlights
Their best performance at the World Cup came in Korea/Japan 2002, where they finished 17th, registering their first World Cup match win, 1-0 against Slovenia. They never went past the group stage.
Predictions
They have a fairly young side, most of them playing club football in South Africa itself, which might prove to be good co-ordination among the players. However, they’re unlikely to break the group stage barrier this time as well.
Czechia – World Rank 41
This will be Czechia’s 10th appearance in the FIFA World Cup, and the first since 2006. However, previously they played under different names — as Czechoslovakia between 1930 and 1994, and as the Czech Republic between 1998 and 2014.
Miroslav Koubek – The Coach
The former Sparta Prague goalkeeper, now 74, took charge of the side in their thrilling UEFA Qualifiers Playoffs in December 2025. Being in coaching since 1980, Koubek managed several Czech clubs like Viktoria Plzen, Slavia Prague, and also the Czechia U-19 side a decade back.
Patrik Schick – The Main Man
Schick is perhaps one of the most decorated Czech strikers in recent times, representing the national team over 50 times and scoring multiple goals. In the Euro 2020, he was the joint top scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo with five goals. His second goal against Scotland in the Euro 2020, a 45 metre screamer, was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.
Pavel Sulc – The Shooting Star
The Lyon number 10, Sulc, will be vital in the Czech midfield to supply the ball to the final third. With more than 150 appearances for Viktoria Plzen, the 25-year-old was named the Czech Footballer of the Year in 2025, before he signed for the French side.
Fixtures
11 June, vs Korea Republic – Estadio Guadalajara
18 June, vs South Africa – Atlanta Stadium
24 June, vs Mexico – Mexico City Stadium
World Cup Highlights
With a rich football history, Czechoslovakia became the runners-up on two occasions, in 1934 and 1962, where they lost to Italy and Brazil, respectively.
Predictions
Despite the team holding a rich past in World Cup folklore; the modern day hasn’t been that kind to Czechia. However, they performed well in the Euro 2020, reaching the quarter-finals. Whether they can upset the likes of Mexico and Korea to reach the next round is something to keep an eye on in Group A.
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