2026 World Cup, Group A Final Matchday: What South Korea, South Africa, and the Czech Republic Need
One thing is already certain on the eve of the final matchday in Group A of the 2026 World Cup: Mexico, having won its first two matches against South Africa and South Korea, has already secured not only a spot in the Round of 16 but also first place in the group. The situation is different for Mexico’s opponent in the 3 p.m. Italian time match between Wednesday and Thursday—the Czech Republic—and for the two teams that will face off in Guadalupe: South Africa and South Korea.
The Koreans, in particular, hold the advantage, thanks to their three points in the standings and a neutral goal difference. A win or a draw against the South Africans would secure automatic advancement to the round of 16. Even with a loss, the Asian Tigers could still qualify as one of the best third-place teams, but that depends on the results in the other groups.
South Africa, on the other hand, sits in last place after two matchdays, with one point in the standings—the same as the Czech Republic—but a worse goal difference (-2 compared to the Czechs’ -1). With a win over South Korea and a simultaneous loss by Schick and his teammates against Mexico, the Bafana Bafana would move up to second place, and even if the Czech Republic were to win, South Africa could still qualify in second place by making up the goal difference gap. A draw would keep them in the running as a potential best third-place team, but they would need favorable results elsewhere.
The Czech Republic, too, has only one result at its disposal—a win—to keep its hopes alive: it also needs South Korea to lose, while maintaining its goal difference advantage over South Africa. If they win and other results go their way, they can finish second; a draw would almost certainly eliminate them, even if they end up in third place.
Mexico, therefore, is the only team with nothing at stake in its third group stage match, even though the home crowd (the match against the Czech Republic is being played at the Azteca in Mexico City) expects another victory from the Central Americans. As for the matchup in the Round of 16, it’s already been decided: El Tricolor will face a third-place finisher (Group C, E, F,H or I) in the first knockout match, also in Mexico City.
