Czechia endured a difficult road to qualification and came close to missing the tournament altogether. In the UEFA qualifiers, the Czechs were drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Montenegro, and Gibraltar, finishing second to reach the play-off round. They ultimately clinched their World Cup berth by edging both Ireland and Denmark on penalties in the March 2026 qualifying play-offs.
The squad is headlined by Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, who has scored 25 goals in 52 appearances for the national team. He is joined by West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek, whose experience will prove valuable, while Ladislav Krejci serves as captain. Attacking midfielder Adam Hlozek, who missed most of the Bundesliga season with Hoffenheim due to calf and foot injuries, has recovered sufficiently and looks set for an important role. Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc is another key inclusion.
The highly rated Sparta Prague midfielder Hugo Sochurek also earned a place in the squad, adding youthful promise to the group.
Czechia is part of Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. The Czechs begin their 2026 campaign on June 11 against South Korea at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, then face South Africa on June 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. They conclude their group stage on June 24, traveling to Mexico City to take on host nation Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
Czechia 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lukáš Horníček (Braga), Matěj Kovář (PSV Eindhoven), Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Prague)
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Douděra (Slavia Prague), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranáč (Hoffenheim), Štěpán Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurásek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jaroslav Zelený (Slavia Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders: Lukáš Červ (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimír Darida (Hradec Králové), Lukáš Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadílek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzeň), Tomáš Souček (West Ham United), Pavel Šulc (Lyon), Denis Višinský (Viktoria Plzeň)
Forwards: Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim), Tomáš Chorý (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
