Czechia returns to the World Cup after two decades

The Czechia national team officially confirmed the players who will represent the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The Czech side returns to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years with the ambition of reestablishing itself among the most competitive nations in international football while building a long-term project for the future.

Czechia will also arrive at the tournament with one of the youngest squads in the competition, relying on a promising mix of experience and emerging talent looking to bring the country back to football relevance on the global stage.

Czechia’s official squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers

Lukáš Horníček — Braga SC (Portuguese League)
Matěj Kovář — PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie)
Jindřich Staněk — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)

Defenders

Vladimír Coufal — TSG Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
David Douděra — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Tomáš Holeš — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Robin Hranáč — TSG Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
Štěpán Chaloupek — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
David Jurásek — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Ladislav Krejčí — Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
Jaroslav Zelený — AC Sparta Praha (Czech League)
David Zima — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)

Midfielders

Pavel Bucha — FC Cincinnati (MLS)
Lukáš Červ — Viktoria Plzeň (Czech League)
Vladimír Darida — FC Hradec Králové (Czech League)
Tomáš Ladra — Viktoria Plzeň (Czech League)
Lukáš Provod — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Michal Sadílek — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Hugo Sochůrek — AC Sparta Praha (Czech League)
Alexandr Sojka — Viktoria Plzeň (Czech League)
Tomáš Souček — West Ham United (Premier League)
Pavel Šulc — Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1)
Denis Višinský — Viktoria Plzeň (Czech League)

Forwards

Adam Hložek — TSG Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
Tomáš Chorý — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Mojmír Chytil — SK Slavia Praha (Czech League)
Christophe Kabongo — FK Mladá Boleslav (Czech League)
Jan Kuchta — AC Sparta Praha (Czech League)
Patrik Schick — Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)

Head Coach

Miroslav Koubek

Player to watch

All of Czechia’s attacking hopes will rest on Patrik Schick, the Bayer Leverkusen striker and the biggest star of this generation.

The forward already knows what it means to shine on the international stage after his spectacular UEFA Euro 2020 campaign and arrives at the 2026 World Cup as one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers thanks to his finishing ability and elite-level experience.

Alongside players such as Tomáš Souček, Adam Hložek, and Pavel Šulc, Schick will try to lead Czechia toward becoming one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

One of the youngest squads at the World Cup

Czechia clearly committed to an important generational transition focused not only on the present but also on the future of the national team over the next decade.

The squad includes several young talents already beginning to stand out both domestically and across European football, helping build a project centered around stability and long-term international growth.

Despite the youth of much of the roster, the Czech side maintains a strong competitive identity and will enter the tournament convinced it can challenge far more experienced national teams.

Everything you need to know about Czechia Squad at the World Cup

Advancing past the group stage is the minimum objective

Inside the country, excitement is growing ahead of Czechia’s return to the World Cup after such a long absence.

However, there is also pressure to compete seriously and at least reach the knockout rounds, something widely considered essential for the growth of the project led by Miroslav Koubek.

Placed in the same group as Mexico, Czechia hopes to become one of the toughest opponents of the entire group stage thanks to its physical intensity, tactical organization, and youthful energy.

Follow all the action from the 2026 FIFA World Cup on beIN SPORTS.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live for free on YouTube