FIFA World Cup: All you need to know about Group A

Co-hosts Mexico open the tournament against South Africa. South Korea brings strong recent knockout-stage consistency. Mexico and South Korea have the history and edge to qualify

Mexico will be competition at their 18^th FIFA World Cup, and their best finish was two quarter-final finishes in 1970 and 1986, and they were host on both occasions. The North American nation were at the last tournament in Qatar.

South Africa, who denied Nigeria a place at the Mundial, will be competing at their fourth World Cup, and this is their first outing since they last hosted in 2010. They have never gone beyond the group stage.

South Korea will be competition in their 12^th World Cup, and their best finish was in 2002, when they were joint host with Japan, and they finished fourth in the tournament. The Asian nation were at the last tournament in Qatar.

Czech Republic will be playing at their 10^th FIFA World Cup, and their first appearance in 20 years, which they last competed in 2006. Their best run at the tournament were two second place finishes in 1934 and 1962.

The favourites to finish top two in this group are joint host, Mexico and South Korea, while Czech Republic may qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

Groups A to L feature a mix of traditional heavyweights, historic rivalries, and four tournament debutants. Under the expanded 48-team format, the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers will advance to the Round of 32.