Mexico Lead 2026 World Cup Group A on 18th Appearance as South Korea Extend 11-Tournament Run
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 8
Mexico Lead 2026 World Cup Group A on 18th Appearance as South Korea Extend 11-Tournament Run
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 8
Summary
Group A brings together Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czechia, with Mexico entering the 2026 World Cup for an 18th time and South Korea for a 12th.
Mexico are the standout hosts-side story: they become the first nation to host three World Cups, and their best finishes—quarterfinal runs in 1970 and 1986—both came at home.
South Korea add another milestone with an 11th straight World Cup since 1986, the longest active run in Asia, and remain the continent’s only semifinalists after their 2002 campaign.
South Africa return for a fourth appearance and first since hosting in 2010, while Czechia are back for the first time since 2006 after winning two playoff shootouts.