Top News

3 June 2026

In one of football’s most iconic venues and under the blazing afternoon sun, the 2026 World Cup will kick off with Mexico taking on South Africa. Despite earlier criticisms about the expanded format, inflated ticket prices, and political influences, the magic of the Azteca Stadium will likely rekindle global excitement the moment it appears on television screens.

On paper, the co-hosts should find Group A manageable, but the real test lies in handling the immense pressure of being hosts. Securing a victory in their opening match against the lowest-ranked team in the group seems absolutely essential.

The contest between the Czech Republic – who qualified through the play-offs after showing newfound resilience – and South Korea could ultimately decide who finishes second. Yet, compared to other groups, this one appears fairly balanced.

(All times BST)

Thursday 11 June, 20:00: Mexico vs South Africa – Mexico City

Friday 12 June, 03:00: Korea Republic vs Czech Republic – Guadalajara

Thursday 18 June, 17:00: Czech Republic vs South Africa – Atlanta

Friday 19 June, 02:00: Mexico vs Korea Republic – Guadalajara

Thursday 25 June, 02:00: South Africa vs Korea Republic – Monterrey

Automatically qualified as hosts, this marks El Tri’s 18th World Cup appearance, and they will be hopeful of reaching the quarter-finals for the third time — and the first since 1986, the last time the tournament was held on Mexican soil.

Under the management of Javier Aguirre, now in his third stint, Mexico enter the tournament seeking redemption after a difficult start to the decade. They failed to progress from their group in Qatar due to goal difference — conceding a 95th-minute goal against Saudi Arabia — and endured a series of CONCACAF final defeats to the USA before reclaiming the Gold Cup in 2023 and successfully defending it the following year.

Aguirre, whose previous World Cup campaigns in 2002 and 2010 ended in the round of 16, returned to the helm in July 2024. He restored Mexico’s trademark chaotic, high-tempo style after Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s possession-based approach proved ineffective.

Back in 1986, Mexico’s journey ended with a penalty shootout loss to West Germany in the quarter-finals. Given the expanded tournament and the global competition’s depth, a similar stage seems both realistic and likely — though current projections suggest England could await in the round of 16.

Gilberto Mora is one of the brightest young stars expected to feature prominently this year.

Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)

Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Brian Gutierrez (Guadalajara), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow)

Forwards: Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham)

Coach: Javier Aguirre

Star player – Raul Jimenez, Fulham: This will be the veteran striker’s fourth World Cup, and it could finally be his time to start. He managed only brief substitute appearances in 2014 and 2018, and featured off the bench in all three matches in Qatar. Now, playing on home soil and following a consistent season with Fulham, Jimenez is expected to lead the line. With over 120 caps and nearly 50 international goals, his performance will be vital for Mexico’s success.

Breakout talent – Gilberto Mora, Tijuana: At just 17, the attacking midfielder is already one of the tournament’s most talked-about prospects. Mora has shattered several youth records previously held by Lamine Yamal and Pele, including becoming the youngest player to win a senior international match at 16 years and 265 days. He is expected to move to Europe after turning 18. Aguirre is confident in his young star, saying, “He’s surely on the radar of several huge clubs around the world and it fills me with pride to see him being talked about on the global stage.”

Fifa ranking: 15.

Odds to win the World Cup: 66/1.

For South Africa, this will be their first World Cup since hosting in 2010. A repeat of that iconic “Goal, Bafana, Bafana” moment seems unlikely, but they will aim to make an impression. Their Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in the round of 16 with a 2-1 loss to Cameroon, and qualification for this tournament was nearly derailed after being docked points due to Teboho Mokoena’s ineligible appearance.

Burnley’s Lyle Foster is the most recognisable name for UK fans, but the team’s strength lies in chemistry — eight players come from Mamelodi Sundowns and another eight from Orlando Pirates. This unity could be crucial if they are to spring a surprise. Still, head coach Hugo Broos has set modest expectations, saying, “We’re going to do our best but I don’t think anyone will blame us if we don’t make it out of the group.”

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)

Coach: Hugo Broos.

Star player – Ronwen Williams, Mamelodi Sundowns: The South African captain is known for his penalty-saving heroics, including four saves in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Cape Verde. His leadership and shot-stopping ability make him indispensable to the team’s hopes of progress.

Breakout talent – Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Chicago Fire: The 20-year-old centre-back has adapted impressively in Major League Soccer and could provide defensive steel for Bafana Bafana. Known as “TLB” (Tractor, Loader, Backhoe) for his strength, he said, “Our aim is to get a win, and it’s going to call us to be unified as a team and to work together to succeed.”

Fifa ranking: 60.

Odds to win the World Cup: 1000/1.

South Korea enter their 11th consecutive World Cup hoping to finally progress beyond the round of 16. Since their famous 2002 semi-final run, they have alternated between group stage exits and last-16 losses. Coach Hong Myung-Bo, captain of that 2002 side, will need to reinvigorate a squad still heavily reliant on Son Heung-min, who turns 34 during the tournament.

With Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), and Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), the team boasts several players from British clubs, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in will be central in midfield. Defensive issues persist, with recent experiments in a three-man backline drawing frustration from fans. Hong is expected to revert to a traditional four-man defence.

Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)

Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Tae-hyon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Cho Yu-min (Sharjah)

Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)

Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)

Coach: Hong Myung-Bo.

Star player – Son Heung-min, Los Angeles FC: Competing in his fourth World Cup, Son is chasing both national and continental records – including becoming Asia’s top World Cup scorer – but his main mission is to lead Korea beyond the group stage and win a knockout match for the first time in two decades.

Breakout talent – Jens Castrop, Borussia Monchengladbach: Born in Dusseldorf, Castrop represented Germany at youth level before switching allegiance to South Korea. A versatile midfielder by trade, he is expected to fill in at left-back due to limited defensive options.

Fifa ranking: 25.

Odds to win the World Cup: 500/1.

The Czech Republic, meanwhile, have shown surprising resilience. After a disappointing qualifying campaign and internal tensions that saw Tomas Soucek stripped of the captaincy, veteran coach Miroslav Koubek, 74, was appointed. They scraped through Ireland and Denmark via penalty shootouts, demonstrating mental toughness despite lacking attacking flair.

This experienced squad, featuring familiar names, has qualified for all eight European Championships since the split of Czechoslovakia but only their second World Cup since 2006. Simply reaching the knockout stage would represent progress.

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (TSG Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (TSG Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)

Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Lyon), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)

Forwards: Adam Hlozek (TSG Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)

Coach: Miroslav Koubek.

Star player – Patrick Schick, Bayer Leverkusen: The 30-year-old forward remains the team’s attacking linchpin, averaging nearly a goal every two appearances. Known for his unforgettable long-range strike at Euro 2020, Schick scored 16 Bundesliga goals this season, a solid return despite Leverkusen finishing sixth.

Breakout talent – Ladislav Krejci, Wolves: One of the few younger players in an otherwise veteran squad, Krejci has been a standout performer for Wolves. Appointed captain in March, his all-action style and leadership could see his reputation rise further.

Fifa ranking: 40.

Odds to win the World Cup: 300/1.

Mexico are expected to top the group comfortably unless the pressure of hosting takes a toll. The battle for second is finely balanced between South Korea and the Czech Republic, with their meeting in Guadalajara likely decisive. South Africa, while organised and spirited, may lack the attacking firepower to reach the round of 32.