World Cup Preview: Group A
As we get set to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we're previewing each of the tournament's twelve groups through a Ligue 1 McDonald's lens, starting with Group A: Czechia, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
Czechia
FIFA Ranking: 39
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
After Adam Karabec was surprisingly left off of the final roster, his Lyon teammate Pavel Šulc will be the only representative from the French top flight in North America. Most of the squad are domestically based, leaving Šulc as the sole player with links to Ligue 1
Tournament outlook:
After coming through the UEFA Playoffs with a pair of penalty shootout wins over Ireland and Denmark, the Czechs have shown their mettle. While they may lack the midfield mastery of past generations, their physicality and skill at set pieces make them a dangerous proposition and they are likely to progress from this group.
Ligue 1 legend: Jaroslav Plašil - AS Monaco, Creteil, Bordeaux
Petr Cech and Vladimir Smicer are contenders for this as well for their short but brilliant stints at Rennes and Lens respectively, but Plašil -- who is also a centurion for his country -- made made more than 400 appearances in the top flight in France, as well as being a notable presence for the Principality side in their run to the 2004 Champions League final. Only three foreign-born players have made more appearances than Plašil in history, making him an easy choice.
☄ Quel missile de Jaroslav Plasil 🇨🇿 en pleine lucarne 🎯 !
🆚 @girondins / @OL
🔜 #FCGBOL pic.twitter.com/caA2ldN2zC— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) December 5, 2021
Mexico
FIFA Ranking: 14
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
While no Mexican players are currently plying their trade in Ligue 1 McDonald's, the ageless Guillermo Ochoa, who featured for AJ Ajaccio a decade ago, is once again back in the squad at the age of 40, hoping to play in his sixth World Cup.
Tournament outlook:
Like Czechia, Mexico have a side composed largely of domestically based players. However, with a vastly experienced defense and midfield Javier Aguirre's team must be taken seriously, especially with the advantage playing at altitude in Mexico City will give El Tri. Probably just about favorites to top this group, Mexico will be looking to reach the Round of 16 or better.
Ligue 1 legend: Guillermo Ochoa - AC Ajaccio
Moving to Corsica for his first spell abroad in 2011, Ochoa was relatively unheralded, but was instrumental in keeping the unfancied side in the top flight for two seasons, only suffering relegation at the end of his third. His finest hour was no doubt a one-all draw against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in 2013, where he made twelve saves to secure a shock result for his side.
A legend in every sense. Memo Ochoa 🇲🇽🌟 pic.twitter.com/lXiMlvz5TO
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 17, 2026
South Africa
FIFA Ranking: 60
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Like Mexico, there are no current players from South Africa in Ligue 1 McDonald's, but former AS Monaco striker Lyle Foster -- now with Burnley -- is likely to lead the line for the Bafana Bafana.
Tournament outlook:
One of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament, South Africa have their work cut out for them. Like Czechia and Mexico, most of their players are currently home-based. Veteran manager Hugo Broos has carved out a storied career in club management in his native Belgium, but also helmed a transitional Cameroon side to an AFCON title in 2017. Progress to the knockout rounds would be a success, but stranger things have happened.
Ligue 1 legend: Lébo Mothiba - LOSC, RC Strasbourg, Troyes, Valenciennes
Still only 30, Mothiba might have been leading the line for his native country in this tournament, but for a series of frustrating injuries. Despite scoring more than fifty goals across his time in France, he contract wasn't renewed by Racing following their acquisition by BlueCo, and while he has regained fitness, playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, he is still yet to be back to his best.
🎯🎯 In today's @CoupeLigueBKT semifinal, Ludovic Ajorque and @LeboMothiba11 were both on target to power @RCSA to a 3-2 win over Bordeaux! https://t.co/UJHp4vhhOi pic.twitter.com/X6rtaHOKMF
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 31, 2019
South Korea
FIFA Ranking: 25
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Lee Kang-In is the only current South Korean player in Ligue 1 McDonald's, with Hong Hyeon-Seok and Kwon Hyeok-kyu having left Nantes in the winter window. The versatile winger made 27 league appearances this season, his versatility key to his importance under Luis Enrique. Likely to play on the right in a 3-4-3, his creativity will be vital to their hopes of reaching the knockout stages once more.
Tournament outlook:
The under-fire manager Hong Myung-bo hasn't been given an especially difficult draw -- there are no giants in this group -- but each opponent presents their own set of difficulties. Reliance on an out-of-form Kim Min-Jae in defence and an aging Son Heung-Min could be problematic, but the Tageuk Warriors should just about have enough to progress.
Ligue 1 legend:
Hwang Ui-Jo, Park Chu-Young and Kwon Chang-Hoon all impressed to various degrees in their three-year stints in the league, but it's hard to look past Lee, who has shown his manifest talent, but also slotted in to a new-look Paris Saint-Germain with nary a bump. A consummate professional, he has been a vital if overlooked part of the champions recent success.
