After a two-decade absence, Czechia are back on football's biggest stage, and they carry the familiar underdog tag that has historically suited them. Their qualification route was fraught with drama: two penalty shootout triumphs in the playoffs, first against the Republic of Ireland and then Denmark, sealed a place at the 2026 World Cup. Now, an experienced core faces a challenging group that includes South Korea, South Africa, and co-hosts Mexico, with the altitude and travel adding extra layers of difficulty.
The playoff victories were emblematic of Czech resilience but also laid bare internal tensions. Following a 6-0 win over Gibraltar in qualifying, the players controversially failed to thank the traveling fans. The Czech FA responded sharply, asserting that supporters were entirely justified in expressing frustration with lacklustre performances and that the squad ought to have shown appreciation. This episode cost Tomas Soucek the captaincy, which passed to Wolves stopper Ladislav Krejci. Krejci made an instant impact, scoring in both playoff ties and leading with aggressive authority.
Further upheaval came on the touchline. A historic defeat to the Faroe Islands during the qualification campaign cost Ivan Hasek his job. Enter Miroslav Koubek, a 74-year-old whose path to the top was anything but conventional. Koubek spent years coaching in the lower Czech leagues while working as an insurance broker, only breaking into the top flight in his 50s. He later won the league title with Viktoria Plzen in 2015, even getting a small tattoo to commemorate the achievement. Now, after taking over a disjointed side, he has instilled discipline and a data-driven approach, earning respect for his dry humour and ability to extract maximum output from limited resources.
On the pitch, all eyes will be on Patrik Schick, the Bayer Leverkusen striker whose elegant movement and clinical finishing make him Czechia’s most feared weapon. Schick burst onto the global scene at Euro 2020 with five goals, including that audacious halfway-line strike against Scotland, and he enters the tournament in form after netting 16 Bundesliga goals in the 2025-26 season. Behind him, attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc offers creativity and unpredictability. The former Viktoria Plzen man joined Lyon last year and impressed in Ligue 1 with his intelligence and press-resistant dribbling. He embodies the new generation and could be the World Cup’s breakout star.
While flair players grab headlines, Czechia’s foundation remains its collective grit. Tomas Holes, the Slavia Prague utility man, is the epitome of an unsung hero. Capable of playing in midfield or defence, the 33-year-old does the invisible dirty work – covering space, winning second balls, and maintaining structural integrity. His standout Euro 2020 performances, including a goal against the Netherlands in the last 16, remain etched in fans’ memories. Goalkeeper competition adds another layer: Matej Kovar, fresh off a title-winning season with PSV, was the playoff hero with two penalty saves, but Braga’s Lukas Hornicek is pushing hard for the No. 1 jersey.
Tactically, Koubek’s side is not one to dominate possession. Czechia lack the technical maestros of past eras and instead rely on physicality, work-rate, and set-piece prowess. This no-frills approach served them well in the playoffs but will be sternly tested at the World Cup, where the logistical demands are immense. Their base camp in Dallas means extensive travel, and two group matches in Guadalajara and Mexico City will be played at altitudes exceeding 2,000 metres. How the squad manages fatigue and thin air could define their campaign.
The group stage is a mixed bag. South Korea, their opening opponents, are athletic and tactically flexible; South Africa, in Atlanta, offer a physical challenge; and the finale against Mexico at the Azteca is a cauldron of pressure and altitude. A realistic target is to secure four points from the first two matches and hope to contain the hosts, but progression will demand flawless execution and perhaps a slice of luck. The team’s experience—nine of the likely starters are over 28—could prove decisive in tight moments.
Czechia’s fans, while not travelling in vast numbers like those of England or Argentina, will make their presence felt. Those who make the expensive journey are typically passionate, beer-fuelled, and good-natured, belting out chants like “Češi do toho!” with a mix of self-deprecation and dark humour. Violence is rare, and the mere fact of reaching the World Cup after 20 years has already sparked heavy celebrations at home. For many supporters, the financial hurdles of travelling to the United States and Mexico mean only a dedicated minority will be in the stands.
Historically, Czech society leans pro-American, a legacy of the 1989 Velvet Revolution and NATO membership, but President Petr Pavel’s criticism of Donald Trump underscores that politics will take a back seat for traveling fans. Instead, conversations will revolve around ticket prices, accommodation costs, and the surreal thrill of seeing their team back among the elite. The World Cup itself is the story.
Ultimately, this Czechia squad embodies a familiar paradox: limited in flair but rich in resilience. Under Koubek’s shrewd guidance, they have patched up internal rifts and rediscovered a fighting spirit. Schick’s fitness and sharpness could be the x-factor, while the Krejci-led defence must hold firm against more dynamic attacks. A round-of-16 appearance would be a triumph, but even getting out of the group would validate the tumultuous journey.
In a tournament where global giants dominate attention, Czechia’s return is a reminder of football’s capacity for drama and redemption. From the Faroe Islands embarrassment to the playoff ecstasy, this team has already navigated extremes. They may not have the deepest squad or the most refined style, but they have a new leader in the dugout, a new captain on the pitch, and a storied striker ready to write the next chapter. As the World Cup kicks off, the Czechs will once again embrace the role of underdog, hoping that grit and a touch of Schick magic can carry them deeper than anyone expects.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.