Group A kicks off the entire tournament. Built around host nation Mexico, it brings together South Korea, South Africa and Czechia in a section that opens at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June. Mexico are clear favourites with home advantage, South Korea carry Son Heung-min and a Europe-based squad, and Czechia and South Africa will scrap for the places behind. This is the full fixture list with venues and dates, the qualification picture, and a prediction for who reaches the new Round of 32.
A host nation, an Asian standard-bearer, an African returnee and a European side rebuilding its World Cup story. Here is the Group A field.
The host seed. Under Javier Aguirre, Mexico open the tournament at the Estadio Azteca and play two of three group games at home. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is bound for a record sixth World Cup. Read our full Mexico squad guide.
The dangerous seed-beaters. Captained by Son Heung-min and built on a Europe-based core, South Korea are organised, quick in transition and have the talent to push Mexico for top spot.
The African comeback story. Bafana Bafana are back at the World Cup after a long absence, last appearing as hosts in 2010. Hugo Broos has built a youthful, energetic side that will be tough to break down.
The European representative. Back at the World Cup after missing the last two editions, Czechia are well-drilled and physical, and will fancy their chances of competing for a knockout place in an open group.
Six Group A matches across three matchdays. Five are played in Mexico, at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Akron (Guadalajara) and Estadio BBVA (Monterrey), with one fixture at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The two final-round games kick off at the same time. Times below are US Eastern.
For the full picture of all 104 games and kickoff times in your own time zone, use the WorldCuply.com match schedule. Host Mexico's path is covered in detail in our Mexico squad guide.
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of four. That changes how a group plays out:
A genuinely open group behind the favourites. Here is how we see it:
The honest truth is that only Mexico look close to safe, and even they will be tested. Get the matchday-one results right and the whole group reshapes. Follow it live with the schedule and the Match-Day Notifier.
Group A is one of 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
The host nation's squad under Javier Aguirre, the Azteca opener, Ochoa's record sixth World Cup and Group A.
Read the Mexico guide ›The co-host's squad, Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, and a first knockout run on home soil.
Read the Canada guide ›The Pot 1 nations and how seeding shaped all 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup.
See the seeds ›All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team and time zone.
Open the schedule ›This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm the Group A teams, fixtures, venues and dates:
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