Korea Republic make Group A dangerous because their transition threat and European-based attackers can punish teams that overcommit.
Son Heung-min remains the reference point, but Korea's real path depends on compact defending and quick support runs around him.
Key question: Can Korea Republic turn counter-attacks into enough goals to challenge Mexico for group control?
Knockout ceiling: Round of 16 contender if they keep games compact and win the Mexico pressure match.
Mexico open on home soil at the Azteca. South Korea bring Champions League firepower. Can the host nation deliver in front of their fans?
12 groups, 48 teams, and the most unpredictable format in World Cup history. Here are our group-by-group qualification predictions with the tactical reasoning behind each call.
Every World Cup produces its shock stories. In 2022 it was Morocco. In 2002 it was South Korea. Here are the five teams most likely to surprise in 2026.