Czechia at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Czechia's World Cup lineage extends through their predecessor state Czechoslovakia, which reached the final twice: runners-up in 1934 and 1962. As an independent nation since 1994, the Czech Republic made their only World Cup appearance in 2006, exiting in the group stage. Their 2026 qualification is therefore only their second World Cup as Czechia and ends a 20-year absence from the tournament. The combined Czechoslovak/Czech Republic record includes no titles.

Qualification

Czechia qualified through the UEFA World Cup playoff system. In the semi-finals they defeated the Republic of Ireland 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, then beat Denmark 3-1 on penalties following another 2-2 draw in the playoff final in Prague. Both ties were decided by penalty shootouts, making for a dramatic but ultimately successful campaign. The qualification ended a 20-year wait since their only previous World Cup appearance in 2006.

Preparation

Czechia returned from the United States after a group-stage elimination with 1 point, finishing fourth in Group A. They lost 1-2 to South Korea, drew 1-1 with South Africa and were beaten 0-3 by Mexico. On June 25 Patrik Schick announced his international retirement (56 caps, 26 goals), and on June 26 Tomáš Holeš followed (43 caps, 2 goals; he had made the decision before the tournament). Captain Souček was stretchered off in the Mexico match with ankle ligament damage; West Ham later ruled him out for roughly six weeks. Coach Koubek on June 27 called the campaign 'a clear failure, personally and for the team' and confirmed the squad must be reconstructed, but on June 29 he resigned after meeting FAČR president David Trunda, citing a media campaign 'based on half-truths and fabrications' against him. General manager Pavel Nedvěd took Jürgen Klinsmann's candidacy to the FAČR executive committee, but the board would not confirm the German and the search for a permanent successor continued.

Latest news

Souček ruled out for opening weeks of West Ham's Championship season

· injuries

West Ham confirmed Tomáš Souček's World Cup ankle injury as ligament damage after assessment in London, ruling him out for roughly six weeks and meaning he will miss the first several games of the club's 2026-27 Championship campaign following relegation. Souček confirmed he will stay at West Ham to help the club return to the Premier League.

Klinsmann ruled out as next Czech coach after FAČR board resistance

· coach

General manager Pavel Nedvěd placed former Germany, USA and South Korea coach Jürgen Klinsmann (61) high on his shortlist, negotiating terms below his usual pay. The FAČR executive board would not confirm the appointment, reportedly wanting a coach who would live in Czechia and engage with coaching education. By July 4 Klinsmann was ruled out, and the search for Koubek's successor continued.

Koubek resigns as Czech national coach after World Cup group-stage exit

· coach

Miroslav Koubek requested a meeting with FAČR president David Trunda on June 29 and the two agreed to end his tenure, less than a year into a contract that ran to June 2028. Koubek said a 'media campaign based on half-truths and fabrications against my person' contributed to his decision. Nedvěd, general manager of the national teams, was tasked with proposing a successor to the board.

Soucek injury update: representative says 'months, possibly three' as more scans awaited

· injuries

A representative of Tomáš Souček told Claret & Hugh on June 27 the West Ham captain needs further scans but the prognosis is serious: 'We are thinking months. Possibly three.' Three months out puts his return around late September 2026. His ankle rolled and knee gave way in the Mexico match. West Ham, now in the Championship, face a blow ahead of their promotion campaign.

Koubek admits 'clear personal failure', says squad must be reconstructed

· general

Back from the US, coach Miroslav Koubek said: 'I rate this as a failure, not only of the team, but also personal. The team did not reach its maximum performance threshold.' The squad must be 'innovated and reconstructed': 'I know where we are struggling and which direction we must go.' He called Schick's loss 'enormous', holds a two-year contract and plans changes from monitoring club-level form.

FAČR president Trunda: Koubek's position not in question, two-and-a-half-year cycle continues

· general

Czech FA president David Trunda confirmed on June 26 that early dismissal of coach Miroslav Koubek is not on the agenda: 'The coach's position is clear. We have an agreement for a two-and-a-half-year cycle. This is not a topic at this moment.' Trunda said a thorough post-tournament analysis will follow and suggested structural problems in Czech football run deeper than coaching.

Holeš announces international retirement after World Cup; had decided before tournament

· squad

Defender Tomáš Holeš (33, Slavia Prague) announced on June 26 via Instagram he is retiring from the Czech national team after the World Cup. He won 43 caps, scored twice: 'I was convinced these would be my last matches for Czech representation before arriving at the tournament.' Played 2 of 3 group-stage games; his most memorable: the winner in Czechia's Euro 2020 quarter-final vs the Netherlands.

Schick announces international retirement after World Cup exit: 'My national team chapter is coming to an end'

· squad

Patrik Schick (30, Bayer Leverkusen) retired from the Czech national team on June 25 via Instagram, hours after the 0-3 loss to Mexico: 'Today, my national team chapter is coming to an end.' Ends with 56 caps, 26 goals, debuting May 2016. Joint Euro 2020 top scorer (five goals), remembered for a long-range goal vs Scotland: 'Czech soccer has much more to offer than it has shown in recent years.'

Czechia eliminated after 0-3 defeat to Mexico; Soucek stretchered off with ankle injury

· matches

Mexico beat Czechia 3-0 at Estadio Azteca to top Group A. Chavez (55'), Quinones (61') and Fidalgo (90+4') scored. Czechia managed only one shot on target. Captain Soucek (sub, 64') was stretchered off in the 84th minute with an ankle injury. Scans awaited to determine severity. Czechia are eliminated with 1 point; South Africa advanced as group runners-up.

Soucek ankle injury: extent unknown, medical scans pending after stretchering at Azteca

· injuries

Tomas Soucek rolled his ankle in the 84th minute against Mexico while closing down goalkeeper Ochoa and was initially brought a stretcher before hobbling off with medical staff. The full extent was unconfirmed, with scans expected once swelling subsides to determine if ligament damage or a sprain is involved. Some reports feared possible ligament or ACL damage but no diagnosis was confirmed.

Czechia's advancement path: win vs Mexico required, draw gives minimal chance

· general

Czech analysts outlined the advancement scenarios ahead of the June 25 Mexico match. A Czech win paired with a South Africa loss would secure second place. A win combined with a South Korea win would still likely produce enough points as a third-placed team for a knockout berth. A draw gives only a minimal chance of advancing among the best third-placed sides.

Jurásek out of World Cup with muscle injury sustained in pre-match training

· injuries

Assistant coach Jan Suchopárek confirmed that defender David Jurásek has suffered a muscle injury during pre-match training ahead of the South Africa match and his tournament is apparently over. Suchopárek said: 'For David, the World Cup apparently ends. It's a muscle injury.' Jurásek had been part of the starting lineup. The team was still evaluating whether a replacement would be called up.

Suchopárek defends tactics, cites altitude preparation for Mexico City match

· general

Assistant coach Jan Suchopárek responded to criticism from Czech media, saying he avoids newspapers and social media. He defended the team's tactical sessions (70-75 min) and noted passive phases were partly due to Dallas heat. For Mexico City (2,000+ metres altitude), the staff introduced heat training on stationary bikes to simulate the conditions.

Czech experts criticise Koubek's satisfied post-South Africa assessment as 'worst possible message'

· general

Three Czech football experts disagreed with Koubek's positive assessment after the 1-1 draw with South Africa. František Straka said 'my blood is boiling' over the passive approach after scoring. David Kobylík called the assessment 'absolutely not corresponding to reality'. Columnist Kvasnica argued Koubek sent Czech football 'the worst possible message' by expressing satisfaction.

Czechia draw 1-1 with South Africa after Mokoena late penalty cancels Sadílek goal

· matches

Czechia drew 1-1 with South Africa in Atlanta. Sadílek scored the fastest goal of the 2026 tournament (6', assist Sojka) but a Šulc handball gave Mokoena a late penalty equaliser (83'). Schick wasted two headers. Czechia had 62% possession but only 1.02 xG vs 1.38. They sit third in Group A on 1 point and need to beat Mexico on June 25 to stay in contention.

South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in World Cup opener after Krejci header

· matches

Czechia lost their Group A opener 1-2 to South Korea at Estadio Guadalajara. Krejci headed them in front from a Coufal long throw (59'), but South Korea replied with Hwang In-beom (67') and Oh Hyeon-gyu (80'). Soucek had a header ruled offside. Schick was taken off at 64' having barely touched the ball. Koubek said the better team probably won. Czechia face South Africa next on June 18.

Czechia fly from Dallas to Guadalajara ahead of South Korea opener

· general

After completing their preparations at the Mansfield base near Dallas, Czechia were due to fly to Guadalajara, Mexico, on Wednesday 10 June for their World Cup opener against South Korea, scheduled for Friday morning Central European time. Czech sources reported no injuries or fitness concerns within the squad.

Czechia hold final Dallas training and publish World Cup squad numbers

· general

Czechia trained for the last time at their Mansfield base near Dallas on 9 June before the World Cup opener. General manager Pavel Nedvěd showcased the training centre and praised the pitch quality, saying the players had nothing to complain about. The federation also published the squad numbers, with Matěj Kovář wearing 1, Patrik Schick 10 and Tomáš Souček 22.

Czechia settle into Dallas base camp with first open training in Mansfield

· general

After flying in from New Jersey, Czechia moved to their World Cup base in Mansfield near Dallas for the group stage. Hundreds of fans, including Dallas Stars' Radek Faksa, watched the first open training on 6 June in 30C-plus heat and high humidity. Coach Miroslav Koubek said the move went smoothly and the mood was good, and set morning sessions to cope with the heat before the South Korea opener.

Czechia beat Guatemala 3-1 in final World Cup warm-up in New Jersey

· matches

In their last pre-tournament friendly, Czechia beat Guatemala 3-1 at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Patrik Schick scored in the 11th minute, William Fajardo equalised for Guatemala in the 40th after a goalkeeping error, and Tomáš Chorý (72') and Denis Višinský (79') restored Czechia's lead. Koubek made four changes at halftime, bringing on Holeš, Zelený, Hložek and Darida.

Koubek confirms final 26: Bucha, Ladra and Kabongo cut

· squad

After the Kosovo friendly, coach Miroslav Koubek trimmed his 29-man provisional list to the final 26 for the World Cup, leaving out Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati), Tomáš Ladra (Viktoria Plzeň) and Christophe Kabongo (Mladá Boleslav). Koubek called the cuts probably the worst moment of his coaching career. Debutants Hugo Sochůrek, Alexandr Sojka and Denis Višinský kept their places.

Czechia beat Kosovo 2-1 in final home warm-up before the World Cup

· matches

Czechia won their farewell friendly 2-1 against Kosovo at the Generali Arena in Prague. Tomáš Ladra opened the scoring in the 12th minute and Adam Hložek added a second in the 32nd on his return from a long calf and foot injury; Lindon Emërllahu pulled one back for Kosovo in the 80th. Seventeen-year-old Hugo Sochůrek came on to become Czechia's youngest ever international.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Matěj KovářGKPSV Eindhoven
Jindřich StaněkGKSlavia Prague
Lukáš HorníčekGKBraga
Vladimír CoufalDFTSG Hoffenheim
Tomáš HolešDFSlavia Prague
Ladislav KrejčíDFWolverhampton Wanderers
David ZimaDFSlavia Prague
Jaroslav ZelenýDFSparta Prague
David JurásekDFSlavia Prague
David DouděraDFSlavia Prague
Robin HranáčDFTSG Hoffenheim
Štěpán ChaloupekDFSlavia Prague
Tomáš SoučekMFWest Ham United
Vladimír DaridaMFHradec Králové
Lukáš ProvodMFSlavia Prague
Michal SadílekMFSlavia Prague
Pavel ŠulcMFOlympique de Lyon
Lukáš ČervMFViktoria Plzeň
Hugo SochůrekMFSparta Prague
Alexandr SojkaMFViktoria Plzeň
Denis VišinskýMFViktoria Plzeň
Patrik SchickFWBayer Leverkusen
Adam HložekFWTSG Hoffenheim
Jan KuchtaFWSparta Prague
Tomáš ChorýFWSlavia Prague
Mojmír ChytilFWSlavia Prague

Recent results

  • 2024-03-22 — NOR 1-2 CZE (friendly)
  • 2024-03-26 — CZE 2-1 ARM (friendly)
  • 2024-06-07 — CZE 7-1 MLT (friendly)
  • 2024-06-10 — CZE 2-1 MKD (friendly)
  • 2025-03-22 — CZE 2-1 FRO (qualification)
  • 2025-03-25 — GIB 0-4 CZE (qualification)
  • 2025-06-06 — CZE 2-0 MNE (qualification)
  • 2025-06-09 — CRO 5-1 CZE (qualification)
  • 2025-09-05 — MNE 0-2 CZE (qualification)
  • 2025-09-08 — CZE 1-1 KSA (friendly)
  • 2025-10-09 — CZE 0-0 CRO (qualification)
  • 2025-10-12 — FRO 2-1 CZE (qualification)
  • 2025-11-13 — CZE 1-0 SMR (friendly)
  • 2025-11-17 — CZE 6-0 GIB (qualification)
  • 2026-03-26 — CZE 2-2 IRL (qualification)
  • 2026-03-31 — CZE 2-2 DEN (qualification)
  • 2026-05-31 — CZE 2-1 KOS (friendly)
  • 2026-06-04 — CZE 3-1 GUA (friendly)
  • 2026-06-25 — MEX 3-0 CZE (group)

View Group A →