Group A World Cup 2026: Teams, Schedule, Standings & Venues
World Cup 2026 Group A consists of four teams competing in a round-robin format during the group stage. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with a compelling Group A.
Featuring host nation Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and a final UEFA playoff D ( Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia, or Republic of Ireland).
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded format of 48 teams divided into 12 groups.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams in all groups, will advance to the knockout stage.
Get to know the Teams, Schedule, Standings, and Venues of the Group A World Cup 2026.
Teams in Group A World Cup 2026
Group A consists of Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of UEFA Playoff Path D.
Mexico (Host Nation)
In 2026, Mexico will make football history by becoming the first nation to host the men’s FIFA World Cup three times, following its legendary tournaments in 1970 and 1986.
The heart of Mexico’s hosting duties will beat in three iconic stadiums across vibrant cities: the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the modern Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
The Azteca, the only stadium to have hosted two prior World Cup finals, will have the honour of staging the tournament’s opening match on June 11, 2026. In total, Mexico will host 13 matches during the event.
South Africa
South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, will return to the FIFA World Cup for a fourth time in 2026, ending a 16-year absence from the tournament.
Their return is built on a foundation of recent success, having qualified by winning their CAF qualifying group in late 2025 and finishing a strong fourth at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Historically, South Africa has never advanced past the group stage in their three previous appearances (1998, 2002, 2010).
Their most notable tournament was as the first African host nation in 2010, a tournament won by Spain.
South Korea
South Korea boasts star players like captain Son Heung-min, defender Kim Min-jae, and midfielder Lee Kang-in.
Their best result was a legendary run to fourth place as co-hosts in 2002, beating Portugal, Italy, and Spain along the way. More recently, they reached the Round of 16 in the 2022 tournament.
South Korea has a distinguished World Cup history, with eleven consecutive appearances since 1986 and twelve overall.
UEFA Playoff Path D Winner
The UEFA Playoff Path D Winner will be the fourth and final team to join Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea in World Cup 2026’s Group A. This team will be decided in a two-round, single-elimination playoff in March 2026.
Group A World Cup 2026 Schedule
The Group A schedule spans from June 11 to June 24, 2026, with matches played in Mexico and the United States.
Group A Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Local Time / ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2026 | Mexico vs. South Africa | Estadio Azteca | 1:00 p.m. local / 3:00 p.m. ET |
| June 11, 2026 | South Korea vs. UEFA Path D Winner | Estadio Akron | 8:00 p.m. local / 10:00 p.m. ET |
| June 18, 2026 | UEFA Path D Winner vs. South Africa | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 12:00 p.m. local / 12:00 p.m. ET |
| June 18, 2026 | Mexico vs. South Korea | Estadio Akron | 7:00 p.m. local / 9:00 p.m. ET |
| June 24, 2026 | UEFA Path D Winner vs. Mexico | Estadio Azteca | 7:00 p.m. local / 9:00 p.m. ET |
| June 24, 2026 | South Africa vs. South Korea | Estadio BBVA | 7:00 p.m. local / 9:00 p.m. ET |
Group A World Cup 2026 Standings
Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. Tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results.
Current Standings – Group A World Cup 2026
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Path D Winner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Standings will be updated after each matchday.
Group A World Cup 2026 Venues
Group A matches will be hosted in four state-of-the-art stadiums across Mexico and the United States, showcasing a blend of historic and modern facilities.
Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca)
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, It will make history by being the only venue to have hosted three men’s World Cup opening matches and two finals (1970 and 1986), the site of legendary moments like Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.
With a massive capacity of over 87,500 spectators and sitting at a high altitude of 7,200 feet, it presents a unique and formidable challenge for visiting teams.
Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron)
The Estadio Akron in Guadalajara is a modern, soccer-specific arena with a capacity of approximately 48,000.
For the 2026 World Cup, it will be a central venue for Group A, hosting two key matches: South Korea’s opener against the UEFA Playoff D winner, followed by the highly anticipated clash between host Mexico and South Korea.
Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA)
Located in Guadalupe, just outside the industrial powerhouse of Monterrey, Estadio BBVA is renowned for its stunning modern architecture and dramatic backdrop against the Sierra Madre mountains.
With a capacity of around 53,500, it is the home of CF Monterrey. For the World Cup, it will host the final Group A match between South Africa and South Korea, a fixture that could be decisive for both teams’ hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Crossing into the United States, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, will host one Group A match: the meeting between South Africa and the UEFA Playoff D winner.
This state-of-the-art, multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 75,000 is famous for its innovative, pinwheel-style retractable roof and a massive 360-degree video halo board.
Beyond its Group A duties, its role in the tournament is monumental, as it is scheduled to host one of the tournament’s two semifinal matches.
Qualification Rules – Group A World Cup 2026
In the 48-team format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance automatically to the round of 32. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams across all groups will also qualify, ensuring more opportunities for progression to the knockout stage.