South Africa became the first World Cup host nation to be eliminated in the group stage, while defending finalist France also failed to advance.
Key Facts
- Group dates
- 11 June – 22 June 2010
- Teams
- South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
- Host nation finish
- 3rd place, eliminated in group stage
- France 2006 World Cup finish
- Runners-up (final)
- France result vs South Africa
- Lost to South Africa during group stage
- First World Cup match ever played
- France vs Mexico (1930), France won 4–1
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup brought together host nation South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France — the 2006 runners-up. Several of these teams shared notable historical encounters, including the very first World Cup match in 1930 between France and Mexico, and prior group-stage meetings at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments.
The group stage ran from 11 to 22 June 2010. Mexico and Uruguay advanced from Group A, with South Africa finishing third behind Mexico on goal difference. France, despite reaching the 2006 final, drew one match and lost two — including a defeat to South Africa — finishing last in the group and earning elimination.
South Africa became the first host nation in World Cup history to fail to advance past the group stage. France's poor performance, including a loss to the host, marked a dramatic fall from their 2006 final appearance and triggered significant scrutiny of the French football program in the aftermath of the tournament.