World Cup Group A Predictions & Betting Tips
Will Jackson 
Scott McGlynn
Group A throws the World Cup open on 11 June with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
It is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener and the first time the same two teams have played the opening match at two separate World Cups.
Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and the Czech Republic make up the group, and on paper this is one of the most navigable draws Mexico could have hoped for as hosts.
The home side are clear favourites to top the group, but the battle for second and third - with three teams progressing in the new 48-team format - is genuinely interesting.
Browse our World Cup 2026 free bets before you place your bets on Group A.
Group A Teams & Form
Mexico
Mexico arrive as one of three host nations and were drawn straight into Group A by virtue of their host status. They beat the United States in the recent CONCACAF Nations League final, giving them genuine momentum heading into a home World Cup.
The Azteca crowd is one of the great home advantages in international football, and El Tri have not lost a Group Stage opener at home since 1986.
The squad mixes Liga MX experience with Edson Alvarez and Hirving Lozano providing European pedigree. Manager Javier Aguirre has settled on a clear system and the side looks well-drilled. They are tournament favourites to win this group at short prices.
South Korea
South Korea sealed qualification with a strong AFC campaign and arrive as the most credible threat to Mexico. Heung-min Son will lead the line in what is likely to be his last World Cup, with Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae providing the spine of a settled side.
The Koreans have reached the knockout stages at three of the last four World Cups they have qualified for, and a top-two finish is realistic.
Czech Republic
Czechia booked their place via the European playoffs, edging the Republic of Ireland on penalties after extra time in Path D. Patrik Schick leads the attack and Tomas Soucek anchors midfield, but this is not a vintage Czech side.
Their challenge will be staying competitive in matches where they are second favourites.
South Africa
Bafana Bafana are back at the World Cup after a 16-year absence and will be the lowest-ranked side in the group on most metrics. Hugo Broos has built a structured, hard-working team and they impressed at AFCON 2023 by reaching the semi-finals.
They will be underdogs in every match, but the new format gives them a realistic route to the Round of 32 if they can pinch a win or a draw against the Czechs.
Group A Predictions
Mexico to top the group at home is the obvious play. The Azteca is a fortress and the schedule allows them to play all three group games on home soil. Expect them to win the group with at least two wins.
South Korea look the strongest second-favourite, with the depth and tournament experience to handle the pressure. We would expect them to take second place, with a real chance of springing a surprise against Mexico in the head-to-head on 19 June.
The third-place battle between South Africa and the Czech Republic is the value market in this group. Czechia have the slightly stronger squad on paper but South Africa have the better recent tournament form. Either could realistically progress as one of the eight best third-placed sides. We'll cover every fixture in detail across our football betting tips throughout the tournament.
Group A Betting Tips
Find more analysis on every fixture in our World Cup 2026 tips hub as the tournament approaches, but here are three top prices and pre-tournament tips to use with our free bet offers.
Tip 1: Mexico to Win Group A
The hosts are short-priced favourites for a reason. Three home matches at altitude, the Azteca crowd, and a clearly structured side under Aguirre. Mexico have looked sharp in friendlies and the draw is genuinely kind.
The bigger question is whether they can do it convincingly. We expect Mexico to top the group with at least seven points, and backing them to win the group looks the soundest play of the four winner markets.
Tip 2: South Korea to Qualify From Group A
The Koreans should breeze past South Africa and Czechia. Top-two looks comfortable, and even a draw with Mexico would likely seal their progression. Backing Korea to qualify (rather than to win the group) is the sensible play given the host advantage.
Son will be the focal point and Lee Kang-in's form for PSG has been excellent. Korea look the safest second-place pick on the board.
Tip 3: Bet Builder - Mexico to Win Group A & Both Mexico and South Korea to Qualify
This bet builder combines the two most likely outcomes in the group: Mexico topping the group and Korea qualifying. The prices on each individually do not blow you away, but combining them into a bet builder gives a much more attractive return on what we view as the two most probable outcomes.
If you want to add a third leg, "Mexico unbeaten in group stage" is a sensible accumulator addition without contradicting the first two legs.
Market Outlook
Mexico are the clear favourites to win Group A, with the host nation enjoying their most navigable draw of any host since 1994. South Korea sit a clear second in the betting, with the Czech Republic and South Africa priced as significant outsiders to top the group. Both Mexico and South Korea are short prices to qualify.
You can compare prices for this group across all major UK betting sites on our latest World Cup 2026 odds page.
Odds are subject to change. 18+ only. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
Group A fixtures
- Mexico vs South Africa - 11 June, 20:00 BST, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- South Korea vs Czech Republic - 12 June, 03:00 BST, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
- Mexico vs South Korea - 19 June, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- South Africa vs Czech Republic - 18 June, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
- Czech Republic vs Mexico - 24 June, Estadio Azteca
- South Africa vs South Korea - 24 June, Estadio Akron
