South Africa football expert Middendorp: 'Korea, Mexico, South Africa will advance from Group A'

As the 2026 World Cup looms, the global football community is abuzz with predictions and analyses. Ernst Middendorp, a seasoned German coach with extensive experience across various continents, offers his insights into Group A, where South Korea, Mexico, and South Africa are set to compete. His perspective, shaped by decades of managing professional teams, provides a unique lens through which to view the upcoming challenges.

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If I were to ask about the prospects of the Group A (Korea, South Africa, Mexico, Czech Republic) group league for the 2026 World Cup, I would say that Mexico, Korea, and South Africa will advance to the round of 32.

Middendorp's prediction that South Korea, Mexico, and South Africa will advance from the group stage is noteworthy. He acknowledges Mexico's home-field advantage and the expanded format, which allows more third-place teams to progress. However, he also points to a potential vulnerability in the South Korean team: an over-reliance on star players like Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae. This contrasts with powerhouse nations like Brazil or Germany, which can often substitute world-class talent seamlessly.

For South Africa, Middendorp highlights the team's collective strength and strong team chemistry under coach Hugo Broos. While they may not boast numerous superstars, their organized, family-like atmosphere and the leadership of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams are significant assets. He notes that the team's cohesion, bolstered by multiple players from top domestic clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, allows them to play a compact, counter-attacking style effectively.

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South Korea's national football team has good speed and tempo, but relies too much on star players like Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in (PSG), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich).

From a South African perspective, Middendorp's analysis offers a balanced view of the national team's prospects. While acknowledging the challenges posed by strong opponents like Mexico and South Korea, he emphasizes the 'Bafana Bafana's' (the team's nickname) inherent strengths. The prediction of advancing, even if modest, reflects a growing confidence in the team's ability to compete on the international stage. The commentary on the expanded tournament format also suggests that endurance and squad depth will be crucial, areas where South Africa's well-drilled unit might prove advantageous. The expert's observation that South African players are familiar with each other from club level is a key insight into their strong on-field chemistry.

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In this World Cup, 48 countries will compete, with many games and long travel distances.