World Cup preview: Group A – Ochoa’s sixth tournament and Son Heung-min’s potential farewell | OneFootball

The World Cup is almost upon us. From June 11 til July 19, 48 countries will fight to become World Champions in the tournament held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The tournament begins with two teams from Group A facing off, Mexico and South Africa. The match will be held at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11.

Here is a preview of the teams in Group A.

Mexico

Mexico are co-hosts of the tournament and have appeared in 17 World Cups. They have hosted/co-hosted a record three tournaments but have never made it past the quarter-final stage.

They did win the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, though, beating USA 2-1 in the final, so do have impressive recent tournament experience behind them.

Led by manager Javier Aguirre they boast players such as Edson Álvarez, Raúl Jiménez and legendary World Cup goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who will be appearing in his sixth World Cup.

South Africa

South Africa are appearing in their fourth World Cup, and hosted the tournament in 2010. They have never progressed past the group stage.

Managed by Belgian Hugo Broos, their squad’s best player is Burnley striker Lyle Foster. Interestingly, 19 of the 26-man squad named by Broos play in the South African league.

South Africa haven’t competed in a World Cup since they hosted in 2010 but will be hoping they can make it to their first ever knockout game thanks to the fact that the eight best of the 12 third-placed teams go through to the round of 32.

South Korea

South Korea have appeared at 11 World Cups and managed a fourth-placed finish in 2002, when they were the co-hosts.

They put together an iconic run that year and knocked out heavyweights Italy and Spain. They remain the only Asian team to ever reach a World Cup semi-final.

Led by Myung-Bo Hong, their squad contains players such as Son Heung-min, PSG’s Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich.

Czechia

Appearing in their 10th World Cup, Czechia are making a long-awaited return to the global stage. They haven’t been in a World Cup since 2006.

They were a powerhouse in the 20th century finishing as runners-up twice, losing the 1934 final to Italy and the 1962 final to Brazil.

Managed by Miroslav Koubek, the star players in Czechia’s squad are West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček, and Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen.