Mexico Eyes Another Quarter-Final from Group A

Darwin, 11 June : The co-host of the World Cup, Mexico, is eager to rewrite history. If luck favors them as hosts once again, Mexico can begin the tournament with considerable confidence. They are hoping to advance from Group A to the knockout stage without much difficulty.

Mexico is the only country to have hosted the World Cup three times. In their previous home tournaments—1970 and 1986—they reached the quarter-finals.

On June 11, Mexico will play the tournament opener against South Africa at Estadio Azteca. Their other Group A opponents are South Korea and the Czech Republic.

From 1994 to 2018, Mexico had a remarkable streak of reaching the Round of 16 in seven consecutive World Cups. That experience suggests that advancing from Group A should not be difficult for them.

However, that streak was broken in the 2022 World Cup. Following a disappointing performance, Mexico was eliminated in the first round. Recent results, though, indicate that the team is regaining its rhythm.

Experienced coach Xavier Aguirre previously managed Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. He returned in 2024 for his third stint. Under his guidance, “El Tri” won both the CONCACAF Nations League and the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year.

Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez provides a reliable goal-scoring option in attack. Meanwhile, 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora could emerge as one of the tournament’s most promising young talents.

Mexico’s biggest challenge in Group A could come from South Korea, who finished the World Cup qualifiers unbeaten in 16 consecutive matches.

Since qualifying for the World Cup in 1986, South Korea has participated in every tournament. They reached the Round of 16 in Qatar and are confident about advancing to the knockout stage again this time.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo took charge in 2024 after a one-year tenure by Jürgen Klinsmann. Several of his players are based in Europe.

The team can rely on PSG’s Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae. In attack, former Tottenham forward Son Heung-min will be their main goal threat. However, he comes into the World Cup with poor club form, having failed to score this season for Los Angeles FC.

The Czech Republic, the only European team in the group, presents another major challenge. Their qualification campaign was inconsistent, including a surprising 2–1 loss to the Faroe Islands.

Following that defeat, coach Ivan Hašek was dismissed in October. Seventy-four-year-old Miroslav Kubek replaced him and led the team to World Cup qualification by defeating Ireland and Denmark in the playoffs, winning both matches in tiebreakers.

South Africa will participate in the World Cup for only the fourth time, and this is their first appearance since hosting in 2010. “Bafana Bafana” has never advanced past the group stage. However, under 74-year-old Belgian coach Hugo Broos, they aim to change that history this time. Broos previously led Cameroon to the African Nations Cup title in 2017.