Key points to know
- Mexico is one of the host countries of the FIFA World Cup and will play all its matches at home.
- Paraguay is the main outsider in the group and is not considered capable of reaching the round of 32.
- Mexico has the lowest odds to win the group at 1.90.
- The main players to watch are R. Jimenez, R. Williams, S. Heung-min and L. Krejci.
- No team in Group A is predicted to reach the quarter-finals.
- The opening match, Mexico vs. Paraguay, will take place on 11 June, with the whole tournament starting together.
Group A teams and schedule
Mexico is the most attention-grabbing team in Group A, not only playing at home, but also the favourite to win the group and potentially get an easier opponent in the Round of 32.
Mexico and South Korea both participated in the 2022 World Cup, while South Korea will be playing for the first time since 2010 when they hosted the tournament. The Czech Republic returns to the tournament for the first time since 2006.
Bookmakers' odds to win the group or finish in the TOP 2:
| Team | Win the group | TOP 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1,90 | 1,15 |
| Czech Republic | 3,32 | 1,95 |
| South Korea | 3,72 | 1,95 |
| PAR | 13,00 | 4,00 |
The group will play a total of six matches, five of which will be played in Mexico. The Czech Republic vs. Paraguay match will take place on 18 June in Atlanta, USA. The full schedule is below (times in Lithuanian time, summer GMT+3).
| Matches | Date and time (LT) |
|---|---|
| Mexico – PAR | 11 June, 22:00 |
| South Korea – Czech Republic | 12 June, 05:00 |
| Czech Republic – PAR | 18 June, 19:00 |
| Mexico – South Korea | 19 June, 04:00 |
| Czech Republic – Mexico | 25 June, 04:00 |
| PAR – South Korea | 25 June at 04:00 |
Favourites and outsiders in Group A
Group A has a clear division of teams. Mexico is considered as the main favourite and SA as the main underdog. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic and South Korea will fight it out for second place while trying to beat Mexico.
Mexico
The group favourite, Mexico, received a place in the 2026 World Cup as one of the hosts and therefore did not participate in the qualifiers. The Mexicans have not played an official match since July 2025. They have won only three times in 11 friendlies. Mexico's last official match was on 7 July 2025, in the Gold Cup final, where they beat the USA 2-1.
One of the main reasons why Mexico is considered the favourite in the group is its home court advantage. Undoubtedly, the three matches atmosfera will be spectacular. The last time Mexico hosted the World Cup was in 1986, when the hosts reached the quarter-finals.
PAR
This will be the first World Cup for the PAR team since 2010, when they were the hosts. In total, PAR has played in three World Cups and has finished the campaign in the group stage each time. The same is expected to happen this year as the team is considered the main outsider in the group. If it manages to avoid three defeats, that would be a good achievement. For detailed official tournament information, please visit FIFA's official 2026 tournament page.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is returning to the World Cup after a 20-year absence. The team qualified for the tournament via an extra qualifying round, beating the Republic of Ireland in the semi-finals and a strong Denmark in the final after a series of penalties.
The team is characterised by its physical preparation and the players' experience in Europe could be one of the keys to victory. patrick Schick, 30, is the team's main striker, but there are other high-level players on the roster.
South Korea
South Korea continues its strong showing in the qualifiers and will play in the World Cup for the 12th time. The squad is distinguished by its tactical discipline and has players with international experience. It is not a team that dominates the game, but plays a solid defensive game and is ready to take advantage of the opponents' mistakes.
The main group rival is the Czech Republic, and it is likely that second place and direct qualification to the round of 32 will be decided between these two teams. However, it is realistic that the national team could reach the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. A win against the PAR and a draw against the Czech Republic or Mexico would not be unexpected.
Players to watch in Group A
There is no clear-cut team in Group A that is predicted to reach at least the quarter-finals, but there will still be plenty of interesting and stand-out players.
In the Mexican team, there is a lot of focus on the 17-year-old talent Gilberto Mora, but Raul Jimenez is considered to be the key figure in the squad. the 35-year-old Fulham striker has a long history of playing for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Wolverhampton.
PAR does not stand out for its high-calibre talent, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams being the standout player.
In the Czech Republic, Tomas Soucek and Ladislav Krejci are the main players, both of whom play for England. Defender Ladislav Krejci scored goals in both decisive World Cup qualifiers. In attack, Patrik Schick and Pavel Sulc deserve attention.
The main players in the South Korean squad are Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Jae-sun, all of whom play in Europe. However, the face of the national team is still 33-year-old Son Heung-min, who has moved to the MLS and has already scored 19 goals with Los Angeles FC.
Highlights of Group A
Group A does not have a clear favourite. Although Mexico is predicted to finish first, they will have a tough time against the Czech Republic and South Korea. There is a strong possibility that the final group positions will be decided on the last day. The similar level of the teams makes the predictions much more difficult – it is recommended to wait for the first official matches and look for value in the second and third matches.
PAR is the clear outsider, with bookmakers offering odds of 2.00 for the team to finish last in the group. This seems to be the best value bet in this group.
The overall level of the group is not high, with Group A, together with Group B, being among the weakest in the tournament. Although there are no outstanding teams such as Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands or England, most of the matches will still be intriguing.
Betting perspective
Group A has a balanced level of teams, so outright win bets offer fairly average odds. In such groups, the alternative is over under betting or betting on draws in the first rounds when the teams have not yet played.
For beginners, it is useful to review the live online betting guide. For a full list of participants with all groups, see the FIFA World Cup 2026 Participants article. When choosing a platform for the tournament, it is worth comparing the best betting companies.
Responsible betting on the tournament
The World Cup lasts almost six weeks and matches are played almost every day. This rhythm increases the risk of chasing losses or betting just for fun. Practical advice is provided by the responsible gambling guide.
Group A FAQ
Which teams are in Group A
The teams in Group A are Mexico, South Korea, Czech Republic and South Africa.
Who are the main favourites to win Group A
Mexico. The bookmakers are offering odds of 1.90 for a win, with the home court advantage helping the hosts.
Which teams are predicted to qualify for the next round from Group A
Mexico and the Czech Republic are predicted to finish in the top two places. South Korea has a chance to qualify for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Which is the most important match of Group A
The match between Mexico and the Czech Republic on 24 June is predicted to be the most important match, not only to decide first place but also to qualify for the Round of 32.
Which team could be the biggest surprise in Group A
Mexico and the Czech Republic are predicted to finish in the top two places, but South Korea could be the biggest surprise. Son Heung-min is likely to play in the last World Cup tournament – the team he leads has the potential to be the biggest surprise of the group.
When did the Czech Republic and South Africa last play in the World Cup
The Czech Republic is participating for the first time since 2006 – a gap of 20 years. PAR is playing for the first time since 2010, when it hosted the tournament.
Which cities will host the Group A matches
Five of the six group games will be played in Mexico City. The Czech Republic vs. Paraguay match will take place on 18 June in Atlanta, USA.
What is the bookmakers' position on the last place of the Czech Republic
The bookmakers are offering odds of 2.00 for PAR to finish last in the group. Considering the strength of the teams, this is considered to be the best value bet for Group A.
