The Czech Republic’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now well underway after securing their qualification through the UEFA play-offs.
The team is set to make a long-awaited return to the World Cup finals, marking their first appearance in the tournament in two decades. Despite being regular participants at the European Championship, reaching the World Cup has eluded them since 2006. Under the guidance of Miroslav Koubek, the Czechs will look to make a strong impression, even if they are not among the favourites.
Placed in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea, the Czech Republic will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages if they can maintain consistency.
There are few surprises in Koubek’s preliminary 55-man squad. The team’s backbone features Matej Kovar as goalkeeper, Tomas Holes in defence, Tomas Soucek controlling the midfield, and Patrik Schick leading the attack.
These key players are joined by Matej Vydra, Adam Hlozek, and Pavel Sulc, while defenders Ladislav Krejci and Martin Vitik have also been included and are seen as emerging talents to watch.
One of the most notable omissions is goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who is currently on loan at Ajax from Liverpool. Despite his strong performances, he was not chosen among the top seven goalkeepers, with Tottenham Hotspur’s uncapped Antonin Kinsky earning a place instead.
This will be the first time since the eras of Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech that Czechia will appear on football’s biggest stage. Having reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship twice in recent years, they will believe they can once again defy the odds.
Goalkeepers: Matej Kovar (PSV), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague), Martin Jedlicka (Banik Ostrava), Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Antonin Kinsky (Tottenham Hotspur), Jan Koutny (Sigma Olomouc), Jakub Markovic (Slavia Prague).
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (TSG Hoffenheim), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers), David Zima (Slavia Prague), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (TSG Hoffenheim), Vaclav Jemelka (Viktoria Plzen), Martin Vitik (Bologna), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), Tomas Vlcek (Slavia Prague), Matej Hadas (Sigma Olomouc), Adam Sevinsky (Sparta Prague), Karel Spacil (Viktoria Plzen).
Midfielders: Tomas Soucek (West Ham United), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Pavel Sulc (Lyon), Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Karabec (Lyon), Michal Beran (Sigma Olomouc), Lukas Sadilek (Gornik Zabrze), Krystof Danek (LASK), Matej Rynes (Sparta Prague), Patrik Hellebrand (Gornik Zabrze), Tomas Ladra (Viktoria Plzen), Lukas Ambros (Gornik Zabrze), Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati), Ondrej Kricfalusi (Banik Ostrava), David Planka (Banik Ostrava), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen).
Forwards: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Matej Vydra (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Hlozek (TSG Hoffenheim), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kliment (Sigma Olomouc), Vasil Kusej (Slavia Prague), Vaclav Sejk (Sigma Olomouc), Christophe Kabongo (Mlada Boleslav), Ondrej Mihalik (Hradec Kralove), Vojtech Patrak (Pardubice).
World Cup 2026 Group A Fixtures:
June 12, 2026: South Korea vs Czech Republic, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
June 18, 2026: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
June 25, 2026: Czech Republic vs Mexico, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Post-World Cup Fixtures:
September 26, 2026: Czech Republic vs Croatia, TBD
September 29, 2026: Czech Republic vs England, TBD
October 3, 2026: Spain vs Czech Republic, TBD
October 6, 2026: England vs Czech Republic, TBD
November 12, 2026: Czech Republic vs Spain, TBD
November 15, 2026: Croatia vs Czech Republic, TBD
Recent Results:
March 31, 2026: Czech Republic 2-2 (3-1 pens) Denmark, epet ARENA, Prague, Czech Republic
March 26, 2026: Czech Republic 2-2 (4-3 pens) Republic of Ireland, Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
November 17, 2025: Czech Republic 6-0 Gibraltar, Andruv Stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic
October 12, 2025: Faroe Islands 2-1 Czech Republic, Torsvollur, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
October 9, 2025: Czech Republic 0-0 Croatia, Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
September 5, 2025: Montenegro 0-2 Czech Republic, Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro
June 9, 2025: Croatia 5-1 Czech Republic, Opus Arena, Osijek, Croatia
June 6, 2025: Czech Republic 2-0 Montenegro, Doosan Arena, Plzen, Czech Republic
March 25, 2025: Gibraltar 0-4 Czech Republic, Estadio Algarave, Faro, Portugal
March 22, 2025: Czech Republic 2-1 Faroe Islands, Malsovicka Arena, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Czechia are confirmed to be part of Group A in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Head coach Miroslav Koubek, aged 74, began his managerial journey in 1983. Born in Prague and a former goalkeeper himself, Koubek has spent most of his managing career within Czech football. He led Viktoria Plzen to a league title in 2015 during his second stint with the club.
Following spells with Bohemians and Hradec Kralove, his third term with Plzen ultimately earned him the national team job. Koubek replaced Ivan Hasek after the team failed to qualify automatically, with Jaroslav Kostl briefly taking charge in their 6-0 victory over Gibraltar before Koubek’s permanent appointment.
Team captain Tomas Soucek, a familiar face for Premier League fans, remains a cornerstone of the squad. However, much of the offensive burden will be on striker Patrik Schick. The Bayer Leverkusen forward, now 30, has scored 24 goals in 50 international appearances and continues to be one of Czechia’s key attacking threats. Despite enduring injuries and limited World Cup experience, Schick’s quality and record speak volumes. A treble winner with Leverkusen, he scored four times during qualification and will be crucial to Czech Republic’s hopes in North America.
