CZE
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP A · POT 4

Czechia
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Miroslav Koubek · Czech head coach appointed on 19 December 2025. A long-time domestic club manager, at 74 he is the oldest coach at this tournament, leading the Czech Republic into their first World Cup in 20 years.
MD1 Jun 11 vs South Korea MD2 Jun 18 vs South Africa MD3 Jun 24 vs Mexico
1th World Cup appearance · best finish: Group stage (2006)
26
Squad size
27.2
Avg. age
9 / 26
Overseas-based
0 / 26
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Miroslav Koubek's Czech Republic announced their final 26 on May 31 (trimmed from 54→29→26). This is the Czech Republic's first World Cup in 20 years (since Germany 2006). As Czechoslovakia they were runners-up in 1934 and 1962; as an independent nation they've never advanced past the group stage.

Spine: captain Ladislav Krejčí (Wolves) + Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen, 26 international goals) + Tomáš Souček (West Ham, 90 caps) + Matěj Kovář (PSV) — four Premier League/Bundesliga regulars. 18-year-old Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta) and 23-year-old Hložek (Hoffenheim) span the generations.

Group A opponents: South Korea, South Africa, Mexico. June 11 vs KOR (Guadalajara) → June 18 vs RSA (Atlanta) → June 24 vs MEX (Azteca at 2,250m altitude). A first-ever Round of 16 berth as an independent nation is the realistic target.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-2-3-1.

Koubek's preferred 4-2-3-1. Schick (Leverkusen) leads with Hložek in the No.10 role, Šulc/Provod on the wings. Souček (West Ham) + Sadílek as the pivot. Krejčí (Wolves, captain) + Hranáč at CB.

4-2-3-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

7
CB · DF
Ladislav Krejčí
Wolverhampton Wanderers · 27
27 caps · 5G WC debut
Captain & Wolves CB
CAPTAIN
10
ST · FW
Patrik Schick
Bayer Leverkusen · 30 · Bundesliga
53 caps · 26G WC debut
Striking ace & Leverkusen title hero
ACE
22
CDM · MF
Tomáš Souček
West Ham United · 31 · Premier League
90 caps · 17G WC debut
Midfield engine (West Ham)
1
GK · GK
Matěj Kovář
PSV Eindhoven · 26 · Eredivisie
20 caps · 0G WC debut
PSV's first-choice keeper
9
RW · FW
Adam Hložek
TSG Hoffenheim · 23 · Bundesliga
43 caps · 5G WC debut
Bundesliga winger
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 7
GROUP A

GROUP A.

MEX
Mexico
POT 1
RSA
South Africa
POT 2
KOR
South Korea
POT 2
CZE
Czechia
POT 4
Thu, Jun 11
South Korea vs Czechia
Estadio Guadalajara · Guadalajara
Czech Republic's first World Cup match in 20 years (since 2006). Vs South Korea (Son Heung-min) in Guadalajara — Schick's finishing and Souček's midfield intensity take centre stage.
View lineups →
MD1
Thu, Jun 18
South Africa vs Czechia
Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, GA
Atlanta vs South Africa. Krejčí + Hranáč's CB pair plus Schick's finishing aim for three points against a PSL-heavy opponent.
View lineups →
MD2
Wed, Jun 24
Mexico vs Czechia
Estadio Azteca · Mexico City
Group decider at Estadio Azteca vs hosts Mexico at 2,250m altitude. Souček must control midfield against Edson Álvarez's side.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group A
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · Mexico City vs 3rd place (C/E/F/H/I)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · Mexico City vs Winner of Match 80
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 91
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group A
  1. Round of 32 Jun 28 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group B
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Houston vs Winner of Match 75
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 89
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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