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The much-anticipated FIFA World Cup is just around the corner. From June 11 to July 19, a total of 48 nations will battle it out across the USA, Mexico, and Canada in pursuit of football’s ultimate prize — the title of World Champions.

The opening fixture of the tournament will feature Mexico taking on South Africa in Group A. The match is scheduled to be played at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11.

Here’s an in-depth look at the teams competing in Group A.

As one of the co-hosts, Mexico will be making their 17th appearance at the World Cup. Despite being the host or co-host a record three times, El Tri have never advanced beyond the quarter-final stage.

However, their recent form offers hope — they clinched the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup title after defeating the USA 2-1 in the final, showcasing their strong tournament pedigree.

Under the guidance of manager Javier Aguirre, Mexico’s squad features experienced names like Edson Álvarez, Raúl Jiménez, and the legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is set to take part in his sixth World Cup — a remarkable achievement in itself.

South Africa, on the other hand, will be participating in their fourth World Cup. They famously hosted the tournament in 2010 but have yet to progress past the group stage in any of their previous appearances.

Coached by Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, the Bafana Bafana squad includes standout player Lyle Foster, the Burnley striker. Notably, 19 of Broos’ 26-man roster are home-based players from the South African league, reflecting a strong domestic foundation.

After a 16-year absence from the competition, South Africa will aim to make history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time. The revised format, where the eight best third-placed teams among the 12 groups advance to the round of 32, offers them a realistic path forward.

South Korea will be making their 11th World Cup appearance. Their most memorable campaign came in 2002 when, as co-hosts, they achieved a historic fourth-place finish.

That year, the Taegeuk Warriors stunned the footballing world by eliminating giants Italy and Spain, becoming the only Asian nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final — a record that still stands.

Managed by Myung-Bo Hong, South Korea’s current squad includes top talents such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae. For Son, now in his thirties, this tournament could potentially mark his final appearance on the global stage.

Czechia, making their 10th World Cup showing, return to the grand stage for the first time since 2006. Once a dominant force in world football, they were runners-up twice — losing to Italy in 1934 and to Brazil in 1962.

Under manager Miroslav Koubek, Czechia’s key players include West Ham United midfielder Tomáš Souček and Bayer Leverkusen’s prolific forward Patrik Schick. Their mix of experience and youthful energy could make them a dark horse in this group.

Group A promises a fascinating blend of history, ambition, and emerging talent — from Ochoa’s record-setting milestone and Son’s possible World Cup farewell to South Africa’s long-awaited comeback and Czechia’s return to the global spotlight.