World Cup Group A Predictions, Exclusive 28/1 Betting Tips, Odds & Preview
Grant Heaney
Grant is a Glasgow-based sports betting analyst and keeps a close eye on all the goings-on in the fascinating world of Scottish football. While he has a strong passion for the SPFL, Grant is equally adept at crafting content on all of Europe’s major leagues, whether it be the Premier League or further afield. When not crunching the numbers and analysing the stats, Grant can often be found following his beloved Falkirk up and down the country.
- Group A
- World Cup 2026
- 20:00
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Group A Preview
On paper, Group A looks like one of the more open and competitive groups at the 2026 World Cup. With no traditional heavyweight in the section, all four nations will fancy their chances of extending their stay at the summer showpiece.
Mexico will certainly be hoping to capitalise on being co-hosts, especially with all three of their group games being played on home turf.
Czechia, meanwhile, will be aiming to make their mark on their return to the world stage for the first time in 20 years.
South Korea have caused problems for bigger nations at previous World Cups and reached the last 16 in Qatar four years ago.
As for South Africa, they will be aiming to break new ground by progressing beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
More Group Previews
🇲🇽 Mexico
As one of the tournament co-hosts, Mexico secured automatic qualification.
El Tri endured a disappointing 2022 World Cup, failing to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 1986, and they then fell at the first hurdle at the Copa América a couple of years later. That prompted the Mexican FA to turn back to Javier Aguirre, appointing him for a third spell in charge in June 2024. The 67-year-old previously led Mexico to the last 16 of the World Cup in both 2002 and 2010.
Anything other than a place in the knockout stages this time around will be seen as underwhelming, given that all 3 of Mexico’s matches are taking place in front of their home support.
There is a clear lack of star power in the current squad, but Aguirre’s teams are traditionally well-drilled and difficult to break down, a trait that should once again serve them well this summer.
🇰🇷 South Korea
It perhaps goes under the radar just how consistent South Korea are in reaching World Cups, with this set to be their 11th consecutive appearance on the world’s biggest stage.
Hong Myung-bo returned to the South Korea hot seat for a second spell in 2024, aiming to improve on his only previous World Cup in charge 12 years ago, when his side exited at the group stage.
The Taegeuk Warriors eased through Asian qualifying, finishing the campaign unbeaten. In the second round, they recorded five wins and one draw, before posting six victories and four stalemates in the next phase, which was enough to secure top spot in their section.
Son Heung-min remains South Korea’s poster boy and their most-capped player of all time, though he now has a talented supporting cast that includes Lee Kang-In and Hyeon-gyu Oh, with the latter recently linked with both Tottenham and Manchester United.
🇿🇦 South Africa
South Africa will grace the world stage for the first time since hosting the tournament back in 2010. Hugo Broos’ side topped their World Cup qualifying group with five wins from their 10 matches. It could have been six victories had they not fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho, a breach which saw them slapped with a 3-0 forfeit defeat.
Consequently, South Africa's qualifying campaign went down to the final set of fixtures, but Broos’ side held their nerve to seal a first World Cup appearance in 16 years.
While there are few household names within their ranks, Bafana Bafana are unlikely to be Group A’s whipping boys, with their defeat against Egypt at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations bringing an end to a remarkable 27-match unbeaten run.
🇨🇿 Czechia
Czechia have been a regular presence at the European Championships for a number of decades now, but World Cup qualification has often proved more testing. It looked as if the Lions might miss out again this time around after a difficult qualifying campaign that ultimately saw Miroslav Koubek replace Ivan Hasek in the dugout.
A nerve-shredding play-off campaign for Koubek and co followed, with penalty shootout wins required to squeeze past both the Republic of Ireland and Denmark.
There is, however, a solid spine to the side, with several familiar names from across Europe, not least Patrik Schick, who will lead the line. The Czechs certainly have the capacity to be stubborn opponents, while also possessing the quality to make their mark at their first World Cup since 2006.
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Team Previews
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