Jon Arnold, USA TODAYSat, June 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC·2 min read
The world will certainly be watching Group A.
The first day of the World Cup sees the tournament open with Mexico hosting South Africa at the historic, renovated Estadio Azteca in a rematch of the teams' thrilling opening game in 2010. Later that day in Jalisco, South Korea and Czechia will take the stage.
Korea, which Mexico beat in 2018 and then did Mexico a favor in the final group match, will look to play spoiler, while Czechia wants to show it belongs on this stage after narrowly advancing from European qualification.
Here is a breakdown of Group A.
World Cup Group A teams
Despite winning both Concacaf trophies on offer in 2025, the vibes in the host nation are not hopeful — especially after an unheard of group-stage elimination in Qatar. That said, Mexico has excelled when the World Cup is on home soil, winning knockout games in both the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
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Key players: Raul Jimenez, Gilberto Mora, Edson Alvarez
Back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting it, South Africa dominated its African qualification group but brings a mostly domestic-based roster to the tournament that hasn't often been tested outside of its home country.
Has the window passed? Korea is a nation in love with soccer and one that still boasts a top superstar in Son Heung-Min. Is there enough of a plan for the rest of the team to support him and take Korea to heights it hasn't reached since hosting in 2002?
Czechia needed a pair of penalty shootout victories in March to get to this point, but this group actually looks like one in which the idea of playing for set pieces and defending staunchly could reap some rewards.
Key players: Patrick Schick, Tomáš Souček, Ladislav Krejčí
World Cup Group A schedule
Mexico vs. South Africa – Mexico City, 3 p.m. - Fox
South Korea vs. Czechia – Guadalajara, 10 p.m. - FS1
Czechia vs. South Africa - Atlanta, 12 p.m. - Fox
Mexico vs. South Korea – Guadalajara, 9 p.m. - Fox
Mexico vs. Czechia - Mexico City, 9 p.m. - Fox
South Korea vs. South Africa - Monterrey, 9 p.m. - FS1
World Cup Group A prediction
Predicted order of finish:
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)
(Brian Snyder, Reuters)
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta
(Amanda Perobelli, Reuters)
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City
(Kyle Rivas, Getty Images)
Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico
(CRISTIAN DE MARCHENA, REUTERS)
Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico
(ULISES RUIZ, AFP via Getty Images)
BMO Field – Toronto
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California
(Kelvin Kuo, Imagn Images)
BC Place – Vancouver, Canada
(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida
(Sam Navarro, Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Lumen Field – Seattle
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
NRG Stadium – Houston
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California
(Darren Yamashita, Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia
(Susana Vera, Reuters)
Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts
(Paul Rutherford, Imagn Images)1 / 15
What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16