Last chance for Czechia: the Mexico test at the Azteca

In the final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match, Czechia face hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Mexico, who won their first two home games, have already secured top spot with a game to spare; Czechia must win to stay in the tournament.

Czechia, with just one point from two games, settled for a draw against South Africa after going ahead, having also failed to protect a lead against South Korea in their opener. Although eight of the 12 third-placed teams will advance, two points almost certainly won't be enough for Czechia. So only a win will do in Mexico City. Miroslav Koubek's side must push their wing-backs high and load the box for Patrik Schick; the Bayer Leverkusen striker, yet to score at the tournament, must step up for his country. Pavel Šulc and Lukáš Provod are expected to come into the XI. Defensive leader Ladislav Krejčí is on a yellow card; if booked here and his team advance, he will be suspended for the last 32.

For Mexico, who long ago secured top spot, things are far more comfortable. Javier Aguirre's side, who beat South Africa 2-0 in their opener, took advantage of a goalkeeper error to edge South Korea 1-0 and won the group with a game to spare. That position lets Aguirre rotate before the last 32. César Montes returns after serving his red-card ban, while 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is expected to start given his long history in Mexico City; it could be an emotional night for El Tri.

Sports Illustrated did not share a clear score prediction for this game, but did name both teams' probable XIs. The two nations have met only once, a 2-1 Czechia win in a 2000 friendly. As a historical note, Mexico beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 at the 1962 World Cup, in a game where the Czechoslovaks scored after just 15 seconds.

Probable XIs
Czechia (3-4-2-1): Kovář; Holeš, Hranáč, Krejčí; Coufal, Souček, Darida, Sojka; Provod, Šulc; Schick
Mexico (4-3-3): Ochoa; J. Sánchez, Reyes, Álvarez, Gallardo; Fidalgo, Romo, Mora; Alvarado, Giménez, Huerta

Source: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated