Co-hosts Mexico are the top seeds in this pool and will enjoy home advantage for all of their matches, but this is how we rate the four World Cup Group A teams in reverse order, followed by our best bet:
Group A odds
2026 World Cup Group A Odds
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Mexico | EVS | 50% |
Czechia | 9/4 | 30.4% |
South Korea | 10/3 | 23.1% |
South Africa | 12/1 | 7.7% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Mexico are EVS favourites to win the group with Czechia (9/4) and South Korea (10/3) likely battling for second place.
Group A Preview
2026 World Cup Group A Preview
South Africa
4. South Africa @ 12/1
Bafana Bafana have never made it past the group stage in three previous attempts, most recently on home turf in 2010, and have it all to do again, judged on the FIFA rankings.
Topping a CAF qualifying group ahead of Nigeria was no mean feat, and South Africa will seek to match the spirit shown by Mamelodi Sundowns at last year's Club World Cup , but this is still a tall order when Burnley striker Lyle Foster is your main attacking threat.
Czechia
3. Czechia @ 9/4
This is just the second time they have qualified in eight attempts since being regular contenders when previously competing as the former state of Czechoslovakia, notably finishing as runners-up in 1934 and 1962. A 20-year finals drought certainly ended in dramatic fashion, with the Republic of Ireland and Denmark beaten in Prague penalty shoot-outs during the play-offs after earlier finishing second to Croatia in a weak pool.
Star striker Patrik Schick is coming off a fine season with Bayer Leverkusen , while Lukas Provod and West Ham 's Tomas Soucek provide plenty of experience in midfield, but have they already used up all of their good luck getting this far?
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South Korea
2. South Korea @ 10/3
The Taegeuk Warriors made smooth progress to qualify for their 11th consecutive finals appearance and will be keen to reproduce their good form from Qatar four years ago, when drawing with Uruguay and beating Portugal to make the last 16, before finding Brazil too strong.
South Korea can call on players based with some of Europe's top clubs, including Bayern Munich defender Kim Ju-sung and PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in , while former Tottenham star Son Heung-min remains their talismanic captain despite switching to Los Angeles FC . Hong Myung-bo is back as head coach following a successful stint in club football, and this team always brings great energy and enthusiasm to the South Korea World Cup 2026 group.
Mexico
1. Mexico @ EVS
El Tri will become the first country to help stage three World Cup s, and past history shows what an advantage that is in this football-mad nation, with Mexico reaching the quarter-finals on home turf in 1970 and 1986. Four years ago in Qatar , they were unfortunate to go out on goal difference after drawing with Poland, losing to Argentina and then beating Saudi Arabia .
That ended a run of seven straight appearances in the round of 16, but with experienced head coach Javier Aguirre back in charge and two consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup triumphs behind them, Mexico should be strong enough to avoid another early exit.
Friendly draws with Portugal and Belgium earlier this year back up that view, and proven performers Raul Jimenez , Julian Quinones and Santiago Gimenez give El Tri lots of options up front in the Mexico World Cup 2026 squad.
Group A Best Bet
World Cup Group A Best Bet
World Cup 2026 Group A Best Bet: Mexico/South Korea Straight Forecast @ 4/1
Mexico are rated as worthy favourites for top spot and South Korea may enjoy these playing conditions more than Czechia to secure second place in the World Cup Group A table.
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*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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