Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic open the 2026 World Cup this Thursday (11). The first match, in the recreation of the opening of the 2010 World Cup, Mexicans and South Africans kick off the greatest World Cup of all time. Soon after, Korea and Czechia close the first day of the World Cup.
In addition to the importance of opening the competition, Group A also concentrates four different football schools, and the CNN Brazil will show you how each selection plays.
Mexico
One of the host countries, the Mexican team is in its 18th participation in its history, the ninth consecutively. Their best results occurred in 1970 and 1986, when, at home, they reached the quarter-final stage.
Now, playing once again in front of their fans, Mexico is trying to repeat its performance from the editions in which it hosted the tournament. Center forward Raúl Jiménez, who plays for Fulham, is one of the most experienced players and one of the team’s technical references.
In goal, the Mexicans may have an old acquaintance. At 40 years old, he was called up and will play in his sixth World Cup. He could assume the starting role in goal, a position that is vacant after Luis Malagón’s injury.
Álvaro Fidalgo, born in Spain, is enjoying a good season at Real Betis and is one of the pillars of the midfield. The creative part is the responsibility of young Gilberto Mora, 17 years old, who must command the team’s playmaking. Finally, full-back Jesús Gallardo and winger Alexis Vega, both Toluca standouts, promise a lot of speed on the left side of the attack.
South Africa
Back at the World Cup after 16 years, the team seeks to overcome the result of its last participation, when it fell in the group stage. In 2026, the team is led by Belgian Hugo Broos, who has a continental title, with Cameroon, on his resume.
The selection is made up, almost entirely, of players who play for Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, two of the main clubs in the country. The one who breaks this rule is center forward Lyle Foster, an athlete from English club Burnley, the only one to play in one of Europe’s five big leagues.
Teboho Mokoena commands the South African midfield. He is important in releasing the ball and distributing plays from the defense. I also look at defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who plays in the United States, and sprinter Oswin Appollis.
Czech Republic
The Czechs return to the World Cup after 20 years and want to forget their disappointing participation in 2026, when they stopped in the group stage. The country won its place through the European Qualifiers playoff, where they beat Ireland and Denmark, both on penalty kicks.
Patrik Schick, from Bayer Leverkusen, is the team’s great hope for goals. He tends to be served in aerial plays by winger Vladimír Coufal, who plays for Hoffenheim. Another important piece is midfielder Tomás Soucek, fundamental in his arrivals in the area as a surprise element.
South Korea
South Korea arrives at the tournament with low expectations, after a complicated cycle and a team undergoing renewal. Son Heung-min continues to be the country’s leader and biggest star, even today working in the United States.
Kim Min-jae, who became a reserve at Bayern Munich, is the pillar of coach Hong Myung-bo’s three-back line. Lee Kang-in, from PSG, is one of the young players who has gained space in the South Korean national team in recent years. Also noteworthy are midfielder Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), midfielder Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05) and striker Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton).
