After a 20-year absence, Czechia will return to the World Cup stage, looking to prove the doubters wrong once more.
Written off by many in their play-off campaign, Czechia will look to rectify the wrongs from the 2024 European Championships, now led by the incredibly promising Ladislav Krejci, currently on loan at Premier League side Wolves.
World Cup History
Since their brilliant run to the quarter finals of the World Cup at Italia 90, Czechia have only qualified for one tournament, which was the 2006 edition in Germany.
After thrashing the United States 3-0 in Gelsenkirchen thanks to two goals from former Arsenal midfielder Tomáš Rosický and a goal from Jan Koller, they were knocked out of Group E on the final matchday by Ghana who snatched second spot in the group, with the European nation losing 2-0 to Italy who would go on to win the entire tournament, knocking out the hosts in the process.
The best moments in their history in the competition came when they lost the final in both 1934 and 1962, when they competed as Czechoslovakia. In 1934, they took the lead with 20 minutes to go against hosts Italy, before losing 2-1 in extra time.
At the 1962 World Cup in Chile, they suffered a similar fate when they took an early lead against holders Brazil, but were eventually beaten 3-1 at the Estadio Nacional de Chile in Santiago.
The 1976 European Championship Winners are hoping to kickstart a new era for football in Czechia, where World Cup Football is much more of a common site.
Qualification and Recent Form
Qualification for the FIFA World Cup was dramatic to say the least for the Czech. Despite losing to Croatia and the Faroe Islands, they cruised through into the playoffs with 16 points, but that’s where the drama began.
The first test in the semi-final was the Republic of Ireland, where they were 2-1 down with 10 minutes to go courtesy of a Troy Parrott penalty, and an own goal from Matej Kovar, cancelling out Patrik Schick’s leveller from 12 yards.
In their moment of need, up stepped Ladislav Krejci to head the ball home and force penalties. It was the shootout where the heroics would come with Kovar denying Finn Azaz and Alan Browne on consecutive occasions, allowing Jan Kilment to convert and take Czechia through to the final.
The final was just as dramatic, this time having to resist a Denmark comeback as goals from Pavel Sulc and Krejci again were unable to deny the Danes’ fightback; Joachim Andersen and Kasper Hogh, giving a 2-2 deadlock, and forcing spot kicks once more. Despite the high levels of pressure, the hosts kept their cool to win 3-1 in the shootout and secure their place in North America.
Manager – Miroslav Koubek
Miroslav Koubek, who was formerly a goalkeeper in his playing career, was appointed manager of the national team in December 2025, replacing Ivan Hasek, who was sacked earlier in the year following a 2-1 defeat in qualification to the Faroe Islands.
Koubek began his managerial career at SK Kladno, where he has managed on three separate occasions. Prior to his fourth spell at the club, he went on to manage Viktoria Plzeň, who, like Kladno, Koubek has gone back to manage on more than one occasion.
In 14/15, he led Viktoria Plzen to the third of their six Czech First League titles, and he was also awarded the manager of the year award in his third spell at Plzen in 2024.
He had previously coached the national team’s U19 squad from 2013 to 2014, where he worked with current first team players such as West Ham’s Tomáš Souček and key striker Schick.
Key Player – Tomáš Souček
After spending four years at Slavia Prague, Souček has become somewhat of a cult hero in East London for Premier League giants West Ham United.
Nicknamed “Potato Salad” for his apparent love of the meal, the midfielder has become a mainstay in the Hammers team , winning “Hammer of the Year” in 2021, where he finished joint top scorer with 10 goals as West Ham qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
Having been likened to Mauroane Fellaini in 2020 by Jose Mourinho, Soucek’s box-to-box qualities will be crucial for Czechia this summer, particularly with two of the group matches taking place in the blazing Mexican heat.
Souček has been part of the senior national team set-up for a decade now, but the first moment at a World Cup will be an extremely special moment for Czechia’s longest active player. He really has been a special player for a class Premier League and a nation hoping to achieve a lot in North America this summer.
Matches
Czechia are in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
Czechia and South Korea have only faced off three times before, but this summer is the first time in a competitive setting. The record is split equally, with a win, a draw, and a loss for Czechia.
The last match-up in June 2016 saw South Korea win 2-1 in Prague.
The only ever fixture between South Africa and Czechia came in Group B of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997. A brace from Vladimir Smicer wasn’t enough to deny Bafana Bafana a late 2-2 draw courtesy of Helman Mkhalele.
Mexico and Czechia faced off in 2000 in Hong Kong for the Lunar New Year Cup, with the Czechs winning the tournament by beating Mexico 2-1 in the final. It will be a tough occasion as the game will take place in front of a daunting atmosphere at the Azteca.
South Korea vs Czechia – Guadalajara – Friday 12th June (03:00)
Czechia vs South Africa – Atlanta – Thursday 18th June (17:00)
Czechia vs Mexico – Mexico City – Thursday 25th June (02:00)
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