With the opening matchday confirmed to take place on Thursday, June 11 2026, co-hosts Mexico step out to kick things off. Within the new 48-nation tournament format, there will be 104 games across the United States, Canada and Mexico, to be held at 16 world-class venues. This World Cup 2026 Group A brings to the table an exciting combination of footballing cultures that features the appearance of one of the three co-hosts in addition to representative elite representatives of Asian, African and European football.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A: All You Need to Know

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A Teams

1. Mexico

The co-host nation enters the competition on the back of a groundswell of expectation from their populace, and hopes to harness the historic aura of their home grounds to achieve a substantial knockout run.

Mexico Squad For FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel, Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Acevedo, Alex Padilla, José Antonio Rodríguez, Carlos Moreno

Defenders: Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Jesús Gallardo, Jorge Sánchez, Mateo Chávez, Julián Araujo, Israel Reyes, Richard Ledezma, Everardo López, Denzell García, Jesús Alberto Angulo, Bryan González

Midfielders: Edson Álvarez, Orbelín Pineda, Álvaro Fidalgo, Obed Vargas, Gilberto Mora, Luis Chávez, Roberto Alvarado, Érik Lira, Luis Romo, Marcel Ruiz, Efraín Álvarez, Diego Lainez

Forwards: Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, Julián Quiñones, César Huerta, Armando González, Guillermo Martínez, Alexis Vega, Jorge Ruvalcaba, Germán Berterame

Mexico Group Stage Match Schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026

2. South Korea

The Asian giants enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a very organised tactical structure and individually potent attackers who are sure to find the right avenue past the world’s best defence.

South Korea Squad For FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeonwoo, Song Bumkeun, Hwang Injae

Defenders: Jens Castrop, Lee Hanbeom, Park Jinseob, Lee Kihyuk, Kim Minjae, Kim Moonhwan, Kim Taehyeon, Lee Taeseok, Seol Youngwoo, Cho Yumin

Midfielders: Lee Donggyeong, Hwang Heechan, Yang Hyunjun, Hwang Inbeom, Lee Jae Sung, Kim Jingyu, Eom Jisung, Bae Junho, Lee Kangin, Paik Seungho

Forwards: Cho Guesung, Son Heungmin, Oh Hyeongyu

South Korea Group Stage Match Schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026

3. South Africa

Returning to the grandest international platform after a prolonged absence, the South African contingent will be looking to embrace their underdog status and disrupt the established global hierarchy.

South Africa Squad For FIFA World Cup 2026

• Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Brandon Petersen

• Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Thabiso Monyane, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon

• Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Lebohang Maboe, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole

• Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Patrick Maswanganyi, Kamogelo Sebelebele

South Africa Group Stage Match Schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026

4. Czech Republic (Czechia)

As the European guns head for the FIA 2026 World Cup, the Czech Republic have a highly organised model with great importance put on shapes, space and set-pieces. A midfield like Tomáš Souček is the physical presence in front of the back-four, with a striker like Patrik Schick being the primary outlet going forward, and containment of the electrifying pace in width from South Korea and South Africa will be crucial to qualification.

Czech Republic Squad For FIFA World Cup 2026 (Preliminary)

Goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek, Martin Jedlicka, Antonín Kinsky, Jan Koutny, Matej Kovar, Jakub Markovic, Jindrich Stanek

Defenders Vladimír Coufal, David Douděra, Matěj Hadaš, Tomáš Holeš, Robin Hranáč, Štěpán Chaloupek, Václav Jemelka, David Jurásek, Ladislav Krejčí, Karel Spáčil, Adam Ševínský, Martin Vitík, Tomáš Vlček, Jaroslav Zelený, David Zima

Midfielders Lukas Ambros, Michal Beran, Pavel Bucha, Lukás Cerv, Krystof Danek, Vladimir Darida, Patrik Hellebrand, Adam Karabec, Ondrej Kricfaluši, Tomáš Ladra, David Planka, Lukás Provod, Matěj Ryneš, Lukas Sadílek, Michal Sadílek, Hugo Sochůrek, Alexandr Sojka, Tomáš Souček, Pavel Šulc, Denis Višinský

Forwards Adam Hložek, Tomáš Chorý, Mojmír Chytil, Christophe Kabongo, Jan Kliment, Jan Kuchta, Vasil Kušej, Ondřej Mihálik, Vojtěch Patrák, Václav Sejk, Patrik Schick, Matej Vydra

Czech Republic (Czechia) Group Stage Match Schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026

The Europeans bring physical robustness and elite tactical structure to the group, looking to assert their continental pedigree against diverse playing styles.

Also Read – Netherlands FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad: Ronald Koeman Warns Memphis Depay, Says 'Has To Prove Fitness'