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World Cup 2026 has been expanded to 48 teams from six confederations. The biggest names in international football descend on the United States, Mexico, and Canada for a five-week-long party. You’ll find everything you need to follow, enjoy, and make predictions on the most popular betting markets at Flashscore.
On this page, we focus on Group A.
Group A consists of four teams: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. El Tricolor are the pre-competition betting favourites to win their pool, with Miroslav Koubek’s men expected to be the main danger. It’s easy to see why traders are siding with the locals, but could we see an underdog rise to upset the odds? Hong Myung-bo certainly hopes so.
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) licensed bookmakers offer odds and promotions on World Cup 2026 Group A. Gamblers can predict the winner, play the forecast, pick a team not to qualify, a side to finish bottom, and more. There’s a market and price to suit all gamblers and budgets, but which gives players the best chance of making a profit?
Keep reading as Frank Monkhouse covers World Cup 2026 Group A in detail.
Group A at a glance
Group A includes Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
Mexico are one of the host nations and betting favourites to win Group A.
Traders expect South Africa to finish bottom after three group matches.
South Korea won their qualifying pool with an unbeaten record.
Mexico play South Africa in the first match of the tournament.
Group winner and qualification
In this section of my review of World Cup Group A for Flashscore, I list the teams most likely to qualify, according to the latest odds.
Winner - 2025 Gold Cup winners Mexico are firm favourites to finish top of Group A. You’ll do well to find better than even money.
Runner-up - If Group A goes the way the betting expects, the Czech Republic will finish second behind Mexico and qualify for the knockout rounds.
Dark horse - South Korea rank as the dark horse in the Group A betting. They’re expected to finish third, but the odds available suggest they could trouble second.
Underdog - South Africa are the outsiders of four in the pool, meaning they should head home after just three starts. They open with a game against Mexico.
Mexico sit at the head of the group betting, and deserve to be. Javier Aguirre’s men are ranked 15th in the world by FIFA, but they’ve been spotted as high as fourth in the past. It’ll take a really strong team to beat the Mexicans on their patch, and I’m not convinced the likes of South Korea are good enough to stop the North Americans getting things their own way.
Team-by-team breakdown
I’ll now cover each of the four Group A teams in a bit more detail.
Mexico
A competitive Group A sets the tone for what’s guaranteed to be one of the most exciting and engaging World Cups in living memory.
Bookmakers quickly pinned Mexico to the head of their Group A winner betting, and it’s difficult to argue. The locals have the tools to progress as champions of the pool.
It’s important to remember that, as a host nation, Mexico didn’t need to qualify. As a result, they’ll be fresh and well prepared for action.
If there were still uncertainties around Aguirre's preferred lineup, the final warm-up matches largely cleared them up. The Mexico manager used those games to test key pieces and, in the process, gave a strong indication of who he trusts heading into the tournament.
One of the biggest takeaways was the role of Alexis Vega. After questions surrounding his physical condition, the Toluca attacker was immediately thrown into the starting XI, reinforcing the idea that he remains a central figure in Mexico's attacking plans.
Aguirre also appeared comfortable adjusting his defensive structure when needed. Edson Álvarez's ability to drop into the back line offers additional flexibility, while Johan Vásquez continues to establish himself as one of the defensive leaders of the squad.
The final squad decisions also reflected a coach focused on experience and immediate impact. Young defender Alejandro Gómez impressed during the process, but Aguirre ultimately leaned toward players he believes are better prepared to handle the pressure of a home World Cup.
Playing in front of their own supporters, Mexico arrive with expectations as high as ever. The talent is there, the preparation has been extensive and the environment will be favourable. The question, as it often is with El Tri, is whether they can translate those advantages into a memorable run when the knockout rounds arrive.
Strengths and weaknesses:
Home advantage and the backing of a huge support are obvious strengths.
The Mexican squad is packed with famous faces with big-game experience.
El Tricolor are traditionally solid in possession and set up to dominate the ball.
Pace and energy on the wings keep Mexico dangerous on the counter-attack.
Question marks remain over their defence, especially against elite opponents.
Czech Republic
The Representatives travel to the World Cup 2026 ranked 41st by FIFA. That suggests they won’t win the trophy, but there’s nothing to say they can’t win Group A.
Traders price the Czech Republic as 9/4 second favourites to win the group. They’re sure to be more popular in the ‘to qualify from the group’ market.
The Czech Republic finished second in Group L behind Croatia. They returned stats of five wins, one draw, and a couple of defeats.
The Czech Republic arrive with a squad that perhaps lacks global stars but compensates with experience, physicality and a clear collective identity. Much of the responsibility falls on Patrik Schick, who remains the reference point in attack and one of the most reliable finishers in European football. Behind him, Tomáš Souček continues to set the tone in midfield, while Pavel Šulc has emerged as one of the team's most in-form attacking players.
Koubek's side earned its place at the World Cup the hard way, navigating two playoff matches where composure and competitive mentality mattered as much as footballing quality. That resilience has become one of the defining characteristics of this generation.
The final squad also reflects a growing commitment to youth. Teenager Hugo Sochůrek forced his way into contention after a remarkable rise at Sparta Prague, while Alexandr Sojka is another newcomer trusted despite limited international experience.
The most debated decisions came through the absences. Václav Černý was left out despite an impressive club season, while several players who had featured regularly in previous years failed to survive the final cuts. Those choices suggest Koubek is prioritising commitment to his system over reputation.
This may not be the most talented Czech team in recent memory, but it is organised, battle-tested and built around players accustomed to competing in demanding European leagues. That alone makes them a dangerous opponent in Group A.
Strengths and weaknesses:
The Czech’s main strength is their organised defence and patient style of play.
The Representatives are especially dangerous from set pieces, including corners.
An impressive work rate means they won’t be beaten for effort.
Koubek’s team are dangerous on the counter-attack, making them exciting to watch.
The squad lacks a standout player capable of dominating opponents.
South Korea
Ranked 25th in the world, South Korea may be receiving less attention than they deserve heading into the tournament. The Tigers of Asia arrived at the World Cup after an unbeaten qualification campaign, finishing top of their group with six wins and four draws, and there is a growing feeling that they could become one of the surprises of Group A.
South Korea are appearing at their 11th World Cup and still carry the memory of their historic fourth-place finish in 2002. This current generation perhaps lacks the global spotlight of that team, but it looks more tactically balanced and physically prepared than several previous versions.
The backbone of the side is clearly defined. Kim Min-jae leads the defence despite recent fitness concerns, while Hwang In-beom controls the midfield alongside Jens Castrop, the first naturalised player to represent South Korea at a World Cup. Further forward, Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung operate behind Son Heung-min, who remains the emotional and technical leader of the attack.
South Korea also have different attacking profiles available. Oh Hyeon-gyu enters the tournament after an excellent scoring season in Turkey, while Cho Gue-sung offers a more physical alternative. Yang Hyun-jun, fresh from a title-winning season with Celtic, is another player capable of changing games from wide areas.
Inside the camp, the objective goes beyond simply reaching the knockout rounds. The coaching staff believe this group is capable of competing for a quarter-final place if momentum builds during the tournament.
Strengths and weaknesses:
A super-fit team that’s full of energy and running.
Always a danger on the counter-attack, set up to sucker-punch opponents.
South Korea are well drilled defensively, giving nothing away cheaply.
The current squad boasts bags of international and club experience.
Critics say they are vulnerable against strong, physical opponents.
South Africa
Ranked 60th on Planet Football by FIFA, it’s no surprise to see Bafana Bafana start as outsiders in the Group A betting. Many experts predict they’ll finish in fourth place.
Hugo Broos leads South Africa into their first World Cup since 2010, and it’s worth noting that they have never made it past the group stage. Will that change this summer?
South Africa impressed when winning World Cup qualifying Group C. Five wins, three draws, and two defeats meant they edged betting favourites Nigeria for pole position.
The squad revolves around a few key names. Ronwen Williams is the undisputed starter in goal and arrives as one of Africa’s most reliable goalkeepers after several decisive performances at club and international level.
Further forward, Teboho Mokoena remains the team's midfield leader, while veteran playmaker Themba Zwane earned a place in the squad despite being 36 years old. In attacking areas, Orlando Pirates stars Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng are expected to provide creativity and pace behind striker Lyle Foster.
Foster remains South Africa’s main attacking threat. Although his club season was inconsistent, he is still the player most capable of turning chances into goals and giving the team a focal point in attack.
One interesting detail is the number of central defenders selected by Broos, raising the possibility of a back-three system in certain matches. Germany-based Ime Okon could benefit from that approach thanks to his physical presence and aerial ability.
Strengths and weaknesses:
South Africa’s main strength is their pace and power going forward.
Without a standout superstar, they rely on teamwork and character.
When winning possession in midfield, South Africa can break with pace.
They have experience of taking on some huge names at past World Cups.
The lack of a reliable and consistent scorer may be their downfall.
Key players to watch
The standout football betting apps featured on this page allow members to bet on several eye-catching markets this summer, including player prop bets. You can forget how a nation will perform and focus on their star player.
Here are some of the most popular player markets at the World Cup 2026:
Golden Boot winner
Team top scorers
Most assists
Player of the tournament
Young player of the tournament
Here are some players to follow from Group A:
Hirving Lozano: Chucky will be trusted with getting the goals needed to drive Mexico into the knockout rounds. The San Diego FC winger also boasts top-level experience in Europe, having scored for PSV and Napoli. He’s fast, direct, and will get football fans out of their seats. He’ll be popular in the anytime scorer markets when Mexico play.
Patrik Schick: He may not play for one of the best footballing nations at World Cup 2026, but Schick will certainly be one of the most talented names in Group A. The 30-year-old striker from Prague has scored for the likes of Roma and Bayer Leverkusen, as well as multiple important goals for his country. A real menace in the box.
Son Heung-min: There aren’t too many superstars in the South Korea squad, but the former Tottenham player is one of them. Currently plying his trade in MLS for Los Angeles FC, Son has scored match-winning goals in the Premier League and Bundesliga. That experience will set him apart from the crowd in the opening three matches.
Percy Tau: He’s creative, intelligent, boasts a dangerous turn of pace, and is South Africa’s main attacking player. If you’re betting on a match involving South Africa and expect them to score, Percy Tau is worth considering. You can back him to top score for his team or in each match. The 31-year-old plays in Vietnam, but was once on the books of Brighton.
Group dynamics
Knowing the teams and players won’t be enough to guarantee success this summer. There are many areas to consider, including the group dynamics, the weather, travel, kick-off times, location, and more. Here are some possible outcomes to consider.
Mexico will open against South Africa in Mexico City. The crowd will play an important role on a huge occasion, and the locals will respond. Past meetings suggest a competitive encounter, and I believe the winner of this match will go on to win the group.
The Czech Republic vs South Africa will be a tense match as both nations know defeat could lead to an early exit. They’ll be fighting hard for their survival.
Matchday three pairs Mexico and the Czech Republic. If the host nation needs a win and all three points to go through, fans should know these teams have met only once before. The Czechs won 2-1 back in 2000. Mexico will plan to be out of sight by this stage.
Group A predictions
Now that we’ve covered everything worth knowing about World Cup Group A and the current state of the betting, I’ll reveal my predictions. Here are my three best bets for June.
Mexico to win Group A @ 1/1 (bet365)
They are the betting favourites to win Group A, and I’m happy to follow. You can back them as a single or add to an accumulator alongside other group winner picks. Mexico aren’t the best team in the pool, but home advantage and missing qualifying gives them an edge. If they beat South Africa in an emotional opener, I expect Mexico to gather pace.
South Korea to qualify @ 4/9 (bet365)
Bookies have South Korea as the third most likely team to win the group, but I expect their big game experience will be enough to secure second. If South Korea end as runners-up after three matches, they’ll progress to the knockout rounds. They will also have a shot at qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers. South Korea to qualify is a value play.
One of the trickiest Group A betting markets to solve is the forecast, but it carries impressive odds. When placing a forecast, the bookies challenge you to call the group winner and the runner-up. They must finish in the exact order you predicted. If this is a bet you fancy, I’d suggest taking Mexico and South Korea in a straight forecast.
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