Group A rounds off the action on day 14 of the 2026 World Cup as Czech Republic take on co-hosts Mexico and South Africa lock horns with South Korea, with both matches taking place at 2am (UK time) on Thursday morning.
We already know that Mexico have won the group, but there’s all to play for as the other three countries attempt to join the co-hosts in the last-32.
Here are the key World Cup 2026 stats ahead of the two games.
Key stats in Group A
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Czech Republic vs Mexico
- Czech Republic key stat: The Representatives are looking to claim their first World Cup win in 20 years.
- Mexico key stat: El Tri are bidding to stretch their unbeaten run on home soil to 27 matches, dating back to 2018.
Mexico have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners after they won their first two games against South Africa and Czech Republic. El Tri are one of only four countries yet to concede at the World Cup following those two wins to nil.
Only once before, back on home soil in 1986, have Mexico won three matches at a single World Cup, a record they can match with a victory over the Czech Republic, while it would be the first time that they’ve ever won all three group stage games.
Mexico are currently unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions and, remarkably, haven’t lost on home soil in 26 games dating back eight years to 2018. However, the co-hosts could decide to make changes for their final group game, given they’ve already secured top spot.
This could give the Czech Republic hope as they go in search of only their second ever World Cup win – since the split of Czechoslovakia – and first in 20 years since they beat the United States 3-0 on their debut. Anything other than a win would see them bow out.
Frustratingly, the Czech Republic have led both matches they’ve played so far, but ended up empty handed in a 2-1 defeat to South Korea, before drawing 1-1 against South Africa.
South Africa vs South Korea
- South Africa key stat: South Africa have the joint most red cards (two) at the tournament so far, while only three countries have more yellows than their four.
- South Korea key stat: The Taegeuk Warriors will have more World Cup wins (nine) than any other Asian country should they beat South Africa.
South Africa are bottom of Group A with only one point on the board so far but do still have the chance to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history. In order to do so, they must beat South Korea in Guadalupe.
For those keeping track of disciplinary records, South Africa have received two red cards at this tournament – the joint-highest total of any team – while only three nations have collected more than their four yellow cards (correct as of the end of the second round of group stage games).
A victory for South Korea would secure qualification for the knockout rounds for the third time overall and for the second consecutive World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors have only won multiple matches at a single World Cup once before, during their memorable run to fourth place on home soil in 2002.
Winning this match would also move South Korea ahead of Japan as the most successful Asian country in World Cup history (in terms of games won), with both sides currently level on eight wins. However, a defeat would leave South Korea with 23 World Cup losses, which would be the third-highest total ever, behind only Mexico (28) and Argentina (24).
A draw would also see South Korea advance, but if they lose, they will need the Czech Republic to fail to beat Mexico, which would see them in contention to progress as a best third place finisher.
Read more:
