Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 brings together host Mexico, South Korea, Czechia and South Africa.
Here’s every fixture, the host city for each match, and how to follow the group from home.
The Four Teams
Mexico is the group’s top seed and a tournament host, which is why it played the opening match.
- Mexico — co-host; it plays its group matches at home.
- South Korea — the group’s other opening-round winner.
- Czechia — competing under its short name, formerly the Czech Republic.
- South Africa — Mexico’s opening-night opponents.
Match Schedule
Group A runs from 11 to 24 June 2026, across three Mexican host cities and one match in the United States. Kick-off times are local to each host city.
| Date | Match | Host City (Stadium) | Kick-Off (Local) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jun | Mexico vs South Africa | Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) | 13:00 | Mexico won 2–0 |
| 11 Jun | South Korea vs Czechia | Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) | 20:00 | South Korea won 2–1 |
| 18 Jun | Czechia vs South Africa | Atlanta, USA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) | 12:00 ET | Drew 1–1 |
| 18 Jun | Mexico vs South Korea | Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) | 19:00 | Mexico won 1–0 |
| 24 Jun | Czechia vs Mexico | Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) | 19:00 | Mexico won 3–0 |
| 24 Jun | South Africa vs South Korea | Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) | 19:00 | South Africa won 1–0 |
For the full match calendar across all 12 groups, see Wego’s FIFA World Cup 2026 dates and schedule guide.
Standings So Far
Group A is complete. Mexico finished top with a perfect nine points and three clean sheets. South Africa pipped South Korea to second on goals scored.
Both advance to the round of 32, where South Africa face Canada on 28 June and Mexico face Ecuador on 30 June. South Korea and Czechia are eliminated.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | −1 | 4 |
| South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −1 | 3 |
| Czechia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | −4 | 1 |
See how this group stacks up against the full World Cup 2026 standings across all 12 groups.
Group A wrapped up on 24 June. Mexico (winners) and South Africa (runners-up) advance to the round of 32; South Korea finished third but did not make the eight best third-placed teams, so they and Czechia are eliminated.
The top two qualified directly, along with the eight best third-placed teams across all groups. In the round of 32, South Africa face Canada on 28 June and Mexico face Ecuador on 30 June.
For live tables across every group, check FIFA’s official standings.
Image credit: Octavio Bonilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where Each Match Is Played
Five of Group A’s six matches are in Mexico. One is in the United States.
- Mexico City — Estadio Azteca: the opener and Mexico’s final group match.
- Guadalajara — Estadio Akron: two matches, including Mexico vs South Korea.
- Monterrey — Estadio BBVA: the final-round South Africa vs South Korea match.
- Atlanta, USA — Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Czechia vs South Africa, the only Group A match outside Mexico.
For the venues themselves, see Wego’s World Cup 2026 stadiums guide, and the complete Mexico fan guide for getting between the three host cities.
For stays near each stadium, read the Mexico World Cup hotels guide.
Following the Group
For travelling fans, following Mexico is essentially a Mexico-only trip — Mexico City for the opener and final group game, with a Guadalajara leg in between.
Mexico uses the tourist card (FMM) system, but air arrivals receive a digital FMM after immigration inspection rather than completing one in advance. Book Mexico City and Guadalajara hotels early, as rates climb on match days.
Want every Group A game? Only the Atlanta fixture sits in the US and may require separate US travel authorization or a visa, depending on your passport — Mexico-focused fans can skip it if they want a Mexico-only trip.
Watching from home, every match is broadcast live. Mexican evening kick-offs can fall in the early hours where you live, so check your local time and channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are in World Cup 2026 Group A?
Group A features host Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czechia.
Why is one Group A match in the United States?
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by Mexico, the US and Canada. FIFA placed Czechia vs South Africa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, while the group’s other five matches are in Mexico.
When does Group A finish?
Group A’s final two matches are on 24 June 2026, in Mexico City and Monterrey.
Has any Group A team qualified yet?
Yes. Mexico won all three games and South Africa finished second; both reach the round of 32. South Korea finished third but missed the eight best third-placed teams, so they and Czechia are out.
How many Group A teams reach the knockouts?
The top two qualify automatically. The third-placed team can also advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
Sources
- FIFA – Group A in Focus
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Standings
- ESPN – 2026 World Cup Match Schedule
- Al Jazeera – World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
