The new expanded field for the 2026 World Cup has its detractors who say the tournament will be watered down with 16 additional countries added to the tournament. No team in Group A is among the favorites to win the World Cup, but it is considered a balanced and competitive group that will likely lead to intense matches. As a co-host of the World Cup Mexico is favored to win the group and advance to the knockout stage, though the Czechia and South Korea are close behind.
Group A matches kick off the 2026 World Cup with Mexico hosting South Africa and South Korea taking on Czechia on Thursday, June 11. The top two teams in group play advance but no team from the quartets is expected to make a significant run. At +9000 on the early World Cup betting board Mexico has the shortest odds of any Group A team to win the World Cup.
Get the latest Soccer news, check out the current betting lines for the upcoming tournaments, and don’t miss the soccer action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!
Odds to win Group A
Mexico +110
Czechia +240
South Korea +300
South Africa +1200
While group play may produce some riveting matches, World Cup futures odds view Group A as the weakest in the field. Mexico is in the middle of the pack on the World Cup title odds with the other three countries on the bottom half of the list. Playing all three group matches on home soil gives Mexico the boost it needs to finish first, though pundits see it as a wide open field. Mexico will have to deal with expectations while playing at home with South Korea viewed as a top challenger after strong showings in recent tournaments.
Odds for Group A teams to win World Cup
Mexico +9000
Czech Rep +40000
South Korea +45000
South Africa +150000
Betting on a particular group to deliver the World Cup winner has become a popular market. Group A has the longest odds of the 12 groups at nearly 60/1 to produce the tournament winner. Winning every group stage match is also a market with Mexico the favorite at +550.
Group A Team Previews
Mexico +110
Playing all group matches at home gives Mexico the advantage to move ahead to the knockout round after its group stage exit in 2022. Coach Javier Aguirre relies on a mix of experienced players and young talent and has a group capable of making a run. Striker Raul Jimenez is the focal point of the club following a strong season with Fulham in the Premier League. Jimenez played sparingly in the 2022 World Cup due to injury but looks to make an impact with more than 40 goals for Mexico in his international career.
Group Match Schedule:
June 11: vs. South Africa, 3 p.m. ET, Mexico City, MX
June 18: vs. South Korea, 9 p.m. ET, Guadalajara, MX
June 24: vs. Czechia, 9 p.m. ET, Mexico City
Czechia +240
The club had a dramatic run through its qualifying group with consecutive shootout wins so I don’t think the pressure of a World Cup will faze them. Goalie Matej Kovar was a stud in net saving two in the first shootout win and had another stop in the second. His play in net could be the deciding factor. There is virtually no World Cup experience on the roster with the club ending a 20-year drought by qualifying for the 2026 edition. EPL stars Ladislav Krejci and Patrik Schick provide the offensive firepower.
Group Match Schedule:
June 11: vs. South Korea, 10 p.m. ET, Guadalajara, MX
June 18: vs. South Africa, 12 p.m. ET, Atlanta, GA
June 23: vs. Mexico, 9 p.m. ET, Mexico City, MX
South Korea +300
Known for its high energy attacking style, South Korea has produced favorable results with strong individual play. Former Tottenham star and currently with LAFC, Son Heung-min is likely playing his last World Cup. South Korea’s all time leader in matches played has mentored younger players Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in into a formidable group. However, the team faced questions regarding its defensive structure recently in losses to Ivory Coast and Austria.
Group Match Schedule:
June 11: vs. Czechia, 10 p.m. ET, Guadalajara, MX
June 18: vs. Mexico, 9 p.m. ET, Guadalajara, MX
June 24: vs. South Africa, 9 p.m. ET, Guadalupe, MX
South Africa +1200
Qualifying for the World Cup was a win for South Africa, which hadn’t played on the biggest stage since 2010 when it hosted. Coach Hugo Broos said this will be his last stop with the 74-year-old calling it quits after the World Cup. Broos led South Africa to fourth place at the 2023 AFCON before topping their qualifying group above Nigeria. Lyle Foster is a threat, but the squad needs an additional striker to keep opposing defenses honest. They’ve also struggled to contain top flight opponents.
Group Match Schedule:
June 11: vs. Mexico, 3 p.m. ET, Mexico City, MX
June 18: vs. Czechia, 12 p.m. ET, Atlanta, GA
June 24: vs. South Korea, 9 p.m. ET, Guadalupe, MX
Make your bets now at BookMaker and get fast Bitcoin payouts, the best odds available anywhere, and don’t forget about live betting at BookMaker Sportsbook!
