Mexico learned their 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, slotting into Group A alongside South Korea, South Africa and the winner of UEFA Playoff D.

Friday's draw ceremony began at 1700GMT with a "pre-draw" show scheduled to last an hour, opened by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma - the theme to the Italia '90 World Cup.

Heavy breathing reaching up to the chin even with a little running, sweltering heat like entering a sauna. The biggest challenge for the Hong Myung-bo-led team at the 2026 North America-Central America World Cup is expected to be the 'extreme environment' in Mexico.

Mexico will face South Africa, South Korea and a currently undetermined European opponent in the 2026 World Cup group stage.

As co-hosts alongside Canada and the United States, Mexico was an automatic qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.

Young Bafana to open campaign against hosts MexicoSouth Africa drawn in Group A for 2026 World Cup The draw for the 2026 World Cup has placed South Africa in Group A joining Mexico one of the hosts,

The Republic of Ireland will face co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea if they qualify via the play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Korea's football team has been placed in Group A alongside host nation Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of European playoff Group D (Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark, North Macedonia) at the 2026 FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) North/Central America World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a playoff winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.

The Republic of Ireland will face hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A in the World Cup if they come through March's play-offs.