Czechia World Cup 2026 Squad — Players, Manager & Group

Back after 20 years — a qualifying campaign nobody saw coming

Czechia return to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years — they last appeared in 2006 and have been absent from the tournament ever since. The road back was not straightforward. They qualified via the UEFA playoffs, beating Republic of Ireland and Denmark on penalties — an extraordinary achievement for a nation many had written off before the campaign even began. Just reaching this tournament is already a success story. Two decades of heartbreak ended in a penalty shootout.

Miroslav Koubek — 74 years old and the second oldest manager at the tournament

Miroslav Koubek is 74 years old and becomes the second oldest manager at this World Cup. He took charge in December 2025 after Ivan Hasek was dismissed following a difficult run of results. Bringing a veteran hand to steady the ship in chaotic circumstances — Koubek is one of the most experienced coaches in Czech football history and knows exactly what this squad needs to perform on the biggest stage. His appointment was met with surprise but the players have responded.

Patrik Schick — Czechia's most important player

Patrik Schick is the key man. The Bayer Leverkusen striker has scored goals at every major tournament he has attended — his bicycle kick against Scotland at Euro 2020 remains one of the great moments of the decade. If he is fit and firing Czechia have a genuine chance of getting out of Group A. Their success in this tournament depends almost entirely on what Schick does in front of goal. No other player in this squad has his combination of technique, finishing and big-game temperament.

Group A is manageable — Czechia can qualify

Group A looks manageable on paper. Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are none of them world beaters. Czechia could realistically qualify for the Round of 32 if Schick stays fit and Tomas Soucek controls midfield. None of the three opponents will frighten a side that just beat Denmark and Republic of Ireland on penalties in high-pressure playoff situations. Getting out of this group is the absolute minimum expectation for a squad that has worked so hard to be here.

Tomas Soucek — the heartbeat of the team

Tomas Soucek is the heartbeat of this team. The West Ham captain is huge in the air, tireless in his running and carries a genuine goal threat from midfield. He has scored some crucial goals for club and country over the past several years. If Czechia go deep in this tournament he will be central to everything they do. His energy and physicality will be crucial against opponents who will look to disrupt Czechia in transition and deny them time on the ball.

A historic moment for Czech football

This is a historic moment for Czech football. A first World Cup in two decades, a squad built mostly from Czech domestic football supplemented by a handful of Premier League and Bundesliga players. Slavia Prague provide the backbone of the squad — multiple players from the same club giving Czechia a cohesion and familiarity that many bigger squads lack. The nation will be behind them every step of the way. Two decades of absence makes this moment all the sweeter.

Who is in Czechia's World Cup 2026 squad?

Miroslav Koubek named a 26-man squad with Ladislav Krejčí as captain. Key players include Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Tomáš Souček (West Ham United), Matěj Kovář (PSV Eindhoven) and Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim). The squad is heavily drawn from Slavia Prague and Czech domestic football.

Who is Czechia's manager at World Cup 2026?

Miroslav Koubek, 74, is Czechia's manager at World Cup 2026. He took charge in December 2025 after Ivan Hasek was dismissed, becoming the second oldest manager at the tournament.

What group are Czechia in at World Cup 2026?

Czechia are in Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. On paper it is a manageable group and Czechia will be targeting qualification for the Round of 32.

When do Czechia play their first World Cup game?

Czechia play their first World Cup 2026 game on June 11 against South Korea at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Has Czechia been to the World Cup before?

Yes — Czechia last appeared at the World Cup in 2006 in Germany. This 2026 tournament marks their return after a 20-year absence. They qualified via UEFA playoffs, beating Republic of Ireland and Denmark on penalties.