El Tri themselves in the group against South Korea, South Africa, and the eventual winner of the FIFA playoff winner D. The future winner means either Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, or Ireland will join Group A for the 2026 World Cup. There are plenty of teams that will hold Mexico's hand down the tournament memory lane.

World Cup co-host Mexico was optimistic about its chances of advancing from the group stage after being drawn to play against South Africa, South Korea and a yet-to-be-determined European team.

The Mexican national team, co-host of the tournament, already knows part of its fate in the 2026 World Cup. It leads Group A and will face South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of the UEFA playoff, which will come from a group that includes Denmark, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Korea and Mexico enjoyed a soccer brotherhood in 2018 after Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min’s stoppage time goals helped Mexico clinch passage to the knockout stage despite a 3-0 loss to Sweden. The good vibes only continued with Son arriving in Los Angeles to join LAFC, a club with a large Mexican fan base, this summer.