World Cup 2026 Group A
Group stage complete: 72 group matches played, 48 of 48 teams with group results.
Mexico finished first in Group A with 9 points (5.68 xPts). South Africa took the other automatic Round of 32 slot; South Korea finished third and are mathematically eliminated from best-third-place contention. South Korea are the unlucky side here — 3 points from 5.09 expected (Δ -2.09). On expected points, South Africa would rank 1 place lower.
Quick answers
- Finished firstWho finished first in World Cup 2026 Group A?
- Group A finished with Mexico first on 9 points and South Africa second on 4 points.
- Points tableWhat are the Group A points?
- Group A points: Mexico 9 points, South Africa 4 points, South Korea 3 points, Czechia 1 point.
- xG and xPtsWhat does xG say about World Cup 2026 Group A?
- By expected points, Mexico finished first in Group A on 5.68 xPts. Mexico have the strongest xG difference at +2.22. South Korea are the unluckiest side on points versus xPts (Δ -2.09).
Published-rank context: Group A averages 27.5 in World Cup field rank, with Mexico (10th of 48) highest and South Africa (36th) lowest; 1 top-half team, 1 top-quarter team. Published FIFA rank context
Strongest Group A opposition faced: South Africa faced opponents averaging 24.7/48 in the World Cup field and FIFA #30.0 globally; trailed xG against a mid-ranked opponent field. Team schedule context
| # | Team | P | W-D-L | GF | GA | Pts | xGF | xGA | Group xPts | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 3 | 3-0-0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 3.73 | 1.51 | 5.68 | +3.32 |
| 2 | South Africa | 3 | 1-1-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2.61 | 3.38 | 3.47 | +0.53 |
| 3 | South Korea | 3 | 1-0-2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4.11 | 2.52 | 5.09 | -2.09 |
| 4 | Czechia | 3 | 0-1-2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2.38 | 5.42 | 2.18 | -1.18 |
Knockout paths
- Match 79Who do Mexico play in the Round of 32?
- Mexico vs Ecuador xG form guide. Mexico: 3.73 xGF, 1.51 xGA, 5.68 xPts in the group stage.
- Match 73Who do South Africa play in the Round of 32?
- South Africa vs Canada xG form guide. South Africa: 2.61 xGF, 3.38 xGA, 3.47 xPts in the group stage.
More: all groups & xPts · by confederation · results · Round of 32 guides · the xG visualizer