Key Takeaways
- Four nations, three host cities in Mexico plus Atlanta. Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic share Group A
- Mexico open the whole tournament. The co-hosts face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on June 11 — the first match of the 2026 World Cup
- Group stage runs June 11 to 24. Each team plays three matches across two and a half weeks
- Mexico play every group game at home. All of Group A's Mexican-hosted matches are at the Azteca, Estadio Akron and Estadio BBVA; one match is in Atlanta
- Top two advance — plus maybe third. The top two go through to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also qualify
Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is where it all begins. Co-hosts Mexico kick off the first-ever 48-team World Cup against South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11, sharing the group with South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Below you’ll find where every Group A match is played and when, mapped across the host cities, the full fixture list, and the live group standings.
The Teams
🇲🇽 Mexico
Co-hosts and the group’s headline act. Mexico play all three group games on home soil and open the entire tournament at the Estadio Azteca — a record-extending World Cup appearance for a side that has reached the knockout rounds at every recent edition.
🇿🇦 South Africa
Bafana Bafana are back on the World Cup stage after topping their African qualifying group. They draw the toughest possible opener — Mexico, away, in front of a packed Azteca.
🇰🇷 South Korea
One of Asia’s most reliable qualifiers, South Korea bring pace and European-based talent. They begin against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara and will fancy their chances of a knockout berth.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
Czechia return to the World Cup as a well-organised European side. Theirs is the one Group A fixture played in the United States — against South Africa in Atlanta on June 18.
Group A Fixtures & Venues
All kickoff times are US Eastern Time (ET).
Matchday 1 — Thursday, June 11
- 🇲🇽 Mexico vs South Africa 🇿🇦 — Estadio Azteca, Mexico City · 3:00 PM ET (tournament opener)
- 🇰🇷 South Korea vs Czech Republic 🇨🇿 — Estadio Akron, Guadalajara · 10:00 PM ET
Matchday 2 — Thursday, June 18
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic vs South Africa 🇿🇦 — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta · 12:00 PM ET
- 🇲🇽 Mexico vs South Korea 🇰🇷 — Estadio Akron, Guadalajara · 9:00 PM ET
Matchday 3 — Wednesday, June 24
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic vs Mexico 🇲🇽 — Estadio Azteca, Mexico City · 9:00 PM ET
- 🇿🇦 South Africa vs South Korea 🇰🇷 — Estadio BBVA, Monterrey · 9:00 PM ET
Both final group matches kick off simultaneously, as is standard for the last round of World Cup group play.
Group A Standings
Live Group A table — updated as results come in.
Fixture, venue and schedule details for Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Image Sources
- Mappr – Host-city map and featured illustration created by Mappr
