00:14Welcome to Beyond the Game, the ball stays pure. Mexico and South Africa held the final press conference and training
00:20sessions on Wednesday in Mexico City ahead of their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
00:25Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre called on his players to stay calm under pressure and embraced the unique opportunity of
00:32playing a World Cup on home soil.
00:34He also acknowledged Mexico's poor record in opening World Cup matches and said his team is determined to change that.
00:42South Africa coach Hugo Bruce meanwhile described Mexico as the strongest team in the group but insisted his side is
00:49fully prepared for the challenge.
00:50The Belgian manager said his players have studied their opponents carefully and must remain focused despite the expected crowd of
00:59more than 80,000 fans.
01:01The game is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener which ended in a 1-1 draw.
01:11Very good fact. I didn't know that. And we have lost all seven times? Two ties? We must end that
01:19statistic. At least try.
01:20I had no idea. And it's in the past now. But this is good information. I will tell the guys
01:26about it. It's a good fact. Yet another reason to win this match.
01:31I had no idea but how nice of you to tell me and yes. Let's hope tomorrow we end this
01:35statistic.
01:37Of course the expectations are very high and it's going to be an amazing game and an amazing atmosphere and
01:45as a team we're looking forward to the game and we're excited and we know how much it means to
01:49everyone back home and ourselves and yeah we're looking forward to the game.
01:53So it's going to be exciting tomorrow. Thank you.
01:58And we are less than five hours to go before the World Cup kicks off. Let's take a look at
02:03the nations and start players that would look to qualify to the next stage as part of Group A, debutting
02:08today.
02:10Group A of the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is a highly competitive group
02:17comprising one of the host nations, two continental World Cup powers and an unpredictable European team.
02:23Mexico. Mexico. The three squad arrives at the World Cup backed by a solid foundation, seeking to consolidate a generational
02:31change that relies on the enthusiasm of the fans.
02:35South Africa. Having qualified by winning their spot in the African knockout round, they arrive with the confidence of having
02:42mastered their physical strength, presenting a challenge to any participating team.
02:47Republic of Korea. Having qualified as group winners in the Asian rounds, they are one of the fastest and most
02:53disciplined teams in the tournament.
02:56Finally, Czech Republic, having survived the European knockout round, arrives at this tournament with a solid aerial game and a
03:04defensive block that is difficult to break down.
03:06In this group, the margin for error is minimal and each team represents a very different approach to football.
03:15In group A, it is important to understand the tactical roles that these players bring to their respective teams.
03:22Starting with host nation Mexico, Santiago Jimenez stands out as the team's main attacking threat.
03:28The AC Milan striker is expected to be one of El Tri's primary goal-scoring weapons and a key figure
03:34in the host's attack.
03:35For the Korean Republic, Son Heung-min remains the team's captain and most influential player.
03:42The Los Angeles FC forward is likely to be facing one of his last World Cup tournaments at the top
03:47of his game and as the Taegu Warriors' key player.
03:50A special mention should also go to Kim Min-jae, the Bayern Munich center-back and one of the defensive
03:56cornerstones of the Korean national team.
03:58For South Africa, a player to watch is Ronwen Williams, the captain and veteran goalkeeper who has established himself as
04:06a true leader of the Bafana-Bafana squad, providing experience, composure and confidence on the biggest stage.
04:13The Czech Republic national team features Patrick Schick, who is the undisputed leader of the attack.
04:19He is known for his excellent heading ability, thanks to his six-foot-three height and his lethal finishing.
04:26These are some of the key players who could play a decisive role as their teams begin their quest for
04:32World Cup glory.
04:36And yes, we are in the final hours before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.
04:41Thus, for some, the tournament is another chance to make history on football's greatest stage,
04:45while the emerging new talents will have a chance to prove themselves while making their World Cup debut.
04:51Let's take a look at both the veterans and the newcomers of the 2026 edition.
04:58In the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, Argentina, the current champion of the tournament, won its third star.
05:05Leopold, Nihon and Messi, the Abby Celeste celebrated, and the number 10 won the title in its fifth World Cup
05:11appearance.
05:11At the 2026 North America World Cup, Leo will be playing as his sixth World Cup,
05:17in an attempt to become the tournament's top scorer.
05:20The all-time leading scorer with a national team, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo,
05:25will also be making his sixth appearance at the world's premier football tournament.
05:29Now with the mission of winning the only title missing from his extensive trophy stand,
05:34as the leader of the Portuguese national team, which features many star players.
05:39Three players who share the record for most appearances, and the last one is Mexican Guillermo Ochoa.
05:44The goalkeeper did not see action between the polls at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments,
05:49but his name was on the roster.
05:51But at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022, he was the undisputed starting goalkeeper.
05:59These three names have been among the elite of World Football for 20 years.
06:03But from these legends emerge new players who are slowly making their way into the elite,
06:08and will make their first big impact at the World Cup.
06:10The Spanish national team's hopes to rest on La Mille Jamal.
06:14The 18-year-old footballer will make his debut on the biggest stage,
06:17with Spain entering the tournament as favorite.
06:20In Norway, returning to the World Cup for the first time since France 1998,
06:25the expoli will be on Erlie Haaland,
06:27a natural cost carrier who will look to lead his national team in his first World Cup appearance.
06:32In France, there are two young stars set to have a great World Cup,
06:35Michael Olyse and Desiree Dowie.
06:37They are set to lead the French attack as the team aims for its third consecutive final
06:41and to add a third star to its title collection.
06:44On the German national team, Florian Wirtz will get his chance for redemption
06:48after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
06:523-2 injury and will look to end its man-shafts run of bad luck.
06:57In South America, Brazil, always a favorite and the World Cup's most successful team
07:01with five titles, will feature De Jong Hendrik,
07:05a deadly striker in front of a goal with experience at Real Madrid
07:08and a strong performance at Olympic De Leon.
07:10And for the Colombian team,
07:13tipped to be one of the big surprises of the tournament,
07:16Luis Diaz will be their goal-scoring hope.
07:19At 29, this will be his first experience in this kind of tournament,
07:23but his current goal-scoring form for both his club and the national team
07:26has the Colombian squad pumped up.
07:31And that is all for this edition of Beyond the Game, the ball stays pure.
07:34We're going to be back with more information and stories shaping this World Cup
07:37and results as soon as the match begins.
07:39We go back to you, Lorena.
07:41Thank you so much, Luis, for your information.
07:44As you were saying, hours earlier, this FIFA 2026 World Cup is ready to kick off.
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