The official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in Washington D.C. on December 5, 2025, has placed Mexico (host), South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of the European Play-off (Path D) into Group A. The final European slot will be contested between Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, or the Republic of Ireland.
Historical World Cup Head-to-Head Matchups
The teams in Group A share a rich history of competitive encounters on the world stage:
Mexico vs. South Africa: An Opening Day Tradition
The 2026 tournament will begin with a historic rematch at the legendary Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026.
World Cup History: The two nations previously met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, which resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Overall Record: Across all competitions (official and friendly), the teams have met 4 times. Mexico has 2 wins, South Africa has 1 win, and they have shared 1 draw.
Mexico vs. South Korea: Mexican Dominance
This matchup has become a recurring theme in the World Cup group stages, with Mexico maintaining a perfect record against the "Taegeuk Warriors":
France 1998: Mexico won 3-1.
Russia 2018: Mexico won 2-1.
Overall Record: Historically, the two sides have faced each other 14 times. Mexico holds the advantage with 7 wins, South Korea has 4 wins, and 3 matches ended in a draw.
South Africa vs. South Korea: A Rare Encounter
Surprisingly, these two nations have never faced each other in the history of the FIFA World Cup. Their only previous meeting was a single friendly match in 2004, which South Korea won 2-0.
Group A - Matchday 1 Schedule
The group stage action kicks off in Mexico under intense global scrutiny:
Mexico vs. South Africa: June 11, 2026 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
South Korea vs. European Play-off Winner: June 12, 2026 – Estadio Omnilife, Guadalajara.
With the home advantage at Estadio Azteca, Mexico is the favorite to lead the group, while South Korea aims to maintain its Asian dominance and South Africa seeks to replicate its spirited 2010 performance.
