Czech Republic are back at the World Cup for the first time since Germany 2006, and the story of how they got there is almost as compelling as what they might do once they arrive. A 2 to 1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in October 2025 was described in the Czech press as the biggest humiliation in qualifying history since a 1 to 0 loss to Luxembourg in 1995. The coach was sacked. A 74-year-old tactician named Miroslav Koubek was appointed. And Czech Republic beat Ireland and Denmark on penalties in the playoffs to reach North America. Meanwhile, Pavel Šulc has gone from Viktoria Plzeň to Lyon to being valued at €50 million in the space of nine months. Patrik Schick scored 16 goals in 28 appearances. Tomáš Souček became the highest-scoring Czech in Premier League history. And Antonín Kinský, the goalkeeper Spurs signed with the intention of making him their long-term number one, chose surgery over the World Cup. This is not a squad without ambition. It is a squad with stories.
How Czech Republic Got Here — The Faroe Islands Humiliation and a Playoff Comeback
Czech Republic were placed in UEFA Group L alongside Croatia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar. The campaign was unsteady from the start. A 2 to 1 home win against the Faroe Islands early in the campaign looked comfortable. But on October 11, 2025, Czech Republic lost 2 to 1 away to the Faroe Islands in what the Czech press immediately described as the worst result in the nation's qualifying history for a major tournament in 30 years. Coach Ivan Hasek was fired the following day.
Caretaker manager Jaroslav Kostl oversaw a 6 to 0 win over Gibraltar in November 2025, which confirmed second place in Group L behind Croatia. That result secured a berth in the UEFA World Cup playoffs in March 2026. Czech Republic were placed in Path D alongside Ireland and Denmark.
In the playoff semifinal against Ireland, Czech Republic trailed 2 to 0 before staging a comeback to force extra time and then winning on penalties. In the playoff final against Denmark, another 2 to 2 draw after 90 minutes, another penalty shootout, another Czech victory. Miroslav Koubek had been appointed in January 2026 on a two and a half year contract. He qualified Czech Republic for their first World Cup in 20 years without coaching a competitive qualifying match.
Key Players to Watch
The Official Squad: Šulc's Explosion, Slavia Prague's Dominance and the Kinský Question
In goal, the absence of Antonín Kinský defines the goalkeeper situation. Kinský was widely considered Czech Republic's best keeper in a generation, but he withdrew from the squad before naming to undergo surgery, prioritising his fitness for Tottenham next season. Matej Kovar at PSV Eindhoven steps into the first-choice role. Jindrich Stanek at Slavia Prague provides experienced domestic cover, and Lukáš Horníček at Braga completes the three. Kovar's penalty-saving record in the playoffs is the most relevant recent evidence.
The defensive unit carries one of the most striking statistical footnotes in the entire Czech squad: six of the ten outfield defenders are from SK Slavia Prague. Douděra, Holes, Chaloupek, Jurasek and Zima all come from the same club. Robin Hranáč and Vladimir Coufal are at Hoffenheim, Ladislav Krejci is at Wolverhampton, and Jaroslav Zeleny represents Sparta Prague. The Slavia dominance reflects the club's monopoly on Czech domestic football in recent seasons and gives Koubek a core of players who understand one another's movements from training together weekly.
The midfield is the most creative unit in this squad. Souček anchors everything from the centre, his physical presence and set-piece threat making him irreplaceable. Šulc on the right, arriving from Lyon with 11 Ligue 1 goals, is the creative spark Koubek will build his offensive patterns around. Lukas Provod from Slavia provides domestic experience. Michal Sadílek and Hugo Sochůrek add energy. Vladimir Darida, one of Czech football's most decorated modern players now at Hradec Králové after his return home, brings leadership and tactical intelligence. Cerv, Sojka and Visinsky complete the midfield options, all from Viktoria Plzeň.
In attack, Schick leads and the question is who supports him. Tomáš Chorý at Slavia, tall and physical, offers an aerial alternative. Adam Hložek at Hoffenheim is the technical option, with the ability to play across the front line. Mojmir Chytil at Slavia and Jan Kuchta at Sparta complete the forward options. This is not a deep attacking squad, which makes Schick's fitness and form the most important variable for Czech Republic at this tournament.
Group A: Korea Republic, South Africa and Mexico at the Azteca
Czech Republic are in Group A alongside Korea Republic, South Africa and Mexico. Fixtures: June 11 versus Korea Republic at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, June 18 versus South Africa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and June 24 versus Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Mexico fixture at the Azteca is one of the most daunting group stage assignments in the entire tournament.
Korea Republic are a technically gifted opponent with pace throughout their squad. Czech Republic's organised defensive structure and set-piece threat makes them difficult to beat, but this is not an easy opener. South Africa are the weakest side on paper in the group and represent the best opportunity for Czech Republic to take three points and stabilise their group position before the Azteca.
The Mexico game will be the defining match for Czech Republic's tournament. Playing at the Azteca, in front of one of football's most intense atmospheres, will test Koubek's compact 3-4-1-2 system to its limit. If Czech Republic can take a point in Mexico City, reaching the Round of 32 becomes realistic. If they take three, they will almost certainly advance.
World Cup History
One to Watch — Pavel Šulc
Prediction
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