Czech Republic World Cup 2026 Squad of Final 26 Players

Miroslav Koubek officially confirms his final 26-man FIFA World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday, May 31, 2026 — immediately after Czechia’s farewell friendly against Kosovo at Letná Stadium in Prague. The moment the final whistle blows in Prague, three players from the current 29-man camp will learn their World Cup dream is over. The 26 remaining players will board a flight to New Jersey, kicking off the most exciting chapter in Czech football since their last World Cup appearance in 2006.

This is Czechia’s first World Cup after a 20-year hiatus — a return earned through one of the most dramatic qualification campaigns in European football history. They secured their place by beating the Republic of Ireland and then Denmark in the playoffs, both in penalty shootouts — an ice-cold, nerves-of-steel run that defined exactly what kind of team Koubek has built.

Placed in Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea, Czechia arrive determined to reach the knockout stages for the first time as an independent nation and show that European football’s understated contenders deserve a place among the elite.

Czechia is back on football’s biggest stage, and after 20 years away, they’re determined to make every moment count. Here’s everything you need to know about Czech Republic World Cup 2026 Squad of Final 26 Players.

Czech Republic’s Official Final 26-Man World Cup 2026 Squad

Miroslav Koubek’s final 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, officially confirmed on May 31, 2026 — after the Kosovo friendly at Letná Stadium, Prague:

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)

The 29-Man Training Camp: Who Is Fighting for the Final 3 Spots

Koubek named his 29-man preliminary training camp squad ahead of the Kosovo friendly on May 31 in Prague at Letná. The full camp roster — from which three will be cut — is:

• Goalkeepers: Matěj Kovář (Bayer Leverkusen), Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Praha), Tomáš Vaclík

• Defenders: Vladimír Coufal (West Ham United), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Praha), Robin Hranáč (Viktoria Plzeň), David Jurásek (Hoffenheim), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton Wanderers) — Captain, Martin Vitík (Sparta Praha), David Zima (Torino), Lukáš Havel (Sporting CP), Pavel Šulc (Bayer Leverkusen)

• Midfielders: Tomáš Souček (West Ham United), Lukáš Červ (Slavia Praha), Ondřej Lingr (Feyenoord), Adam Karabec (Hamburger SV), Michal Sadílek (PSV Eindhoven), Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta Praha) — 17 years old, Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzeň)

• Forwards: Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim), Tomáš Chorý (Slavia Praha), Mojmír Chytil (Slavia Praha), Christophe Kabongo (Mladá Boleslav), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Praha), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Matěj Vydra (Retired/recalled possibility)

⚠️ Three players from this group will be cut after the Kosovo friendly. The confirmed final 26 will be announced immediately after the May 31 match.

Notable: Koubek named three newcomers in the preliminary squad, including 17-year-old Sparta Prague midfielder Hugo Sochůrek, Viktoria Plzeň midfielder Alexandr Sojka, and Mladá Boleslav forward Christophe Kabongo.

The Dramatic Qualification Story: From Faroe Islands Humiliation to World Cup

The story of how Czechia got to this World Cup is one of European football’s most gripping qualification tales — and it begins with one of its most humiliating moments.

Ivan Hašek was fired after a shocking 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in World Cup qualifying a result described as the biggest humiliation in Czech qualifying history since a 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg 30 years prior.

The Faroe Islands, a territory with a population of just 55,000 people, had beaten one of Europe’s most technically accomplished nations. It was a moment of national footballing embarrassment.

Koubek took over the national team and led the Czechs to their first World Cup appearance since 2006 after that shocking qualification defeat to the Faroe Islands. Jaroslav Kostl served as interim before Koubek former coach of Viktoria Plzeňwas given the job permanently.

He steadied the ship, won the crucial final qualifier against Gibraltar, and then delivered back-to-back penalty shootout victories in the European playoffs — beating the Republic of Ireland and Denmark — to send Czechia to North America.

The journey from Faroe Islands heartbreak to World Cup qualification in the space of a few months is one of the most remarkable turnaround stories of the entire 2026 cycle. Those playoff games were also Czechia’s first under Koubek meaning he coached exactly two competitive matches before reaching the World Cup. It is an extraordinary achievement.

Koubek at 74: The Oldest Coach at the World Cup

One of the most remarkable facts about this Czechia squad is its manager.

Miroslav Koubek, the 74-year-old manager, leads the Czech Republic at this World Cup — making him the oldest head coach in the entire tournament field. A veteran of Czech club football with stints at Viktoria Plzeň and various other domestic sides, Koubek brings a calm, experienced authority to a squad that needed stability after the chaos of the Hašek era.

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.

The 74-year-old has described the squad as one built on experience and collective spirit rather than individual stars — though the individual stars are certainly present.

Key Players to Watch at the Czech Republic World Cup roster 2026

Patrik Schick — The Bundesliga Finisher

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.

Patrik Schick is Czechia’s main attacking threat, having scored 25 goals in 52 appearances for his country. The striker won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and is the third top scorer in the German league this season.

At Euro 2020, Schick announced himself to the world with a stunning long-range goal against Scotland from the halfway line — one of the tournament’s iconic moments. Now 30, he arrives at his first World Cup with the full weight of his nation’s attacking hopes on his shoulders. If Czechia are going to cause upsets in Group A, Schick will be the man producing the goals that make it happen.

Tomáš Souček — The West Ham Warrior

West Ham’s Tomáš Souček remains a pivotal player for Czechia in central midfield. The powerful box-to-box midfielder has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers over the past four seasons — combining defensive discipline with an extraordinary goal-scoring record from midfield. His ability to arrive late in the box and convert from set pieces makes him a threat from every dead-ball situation.

With 12 international goals and over 100 appearances for West Ham, Souček brings elite-level experience and a Premier League physicality that will be invaluable against the pace and intensity of South Korea and the technical quality of Mexico.

Ladislav Krejčí — The New Captain

Defender Ladislav Krejčí, who is currently on loan in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, recently replaced Souček as captain. The leadership change reflects Koubek’s desire to build a new identity around a younger defensive core — and Krejčí’s performances at Wolves, where he has been one of the most consistent centre-backs in the Premier League this season, have fully justified the armband.

His aerial dominance, composure on the ball, and ability to organise a defensive line under pressure will be central to how Czechia approach the physicality of the Group A teams.

Matěj Kovář — The Leverkusen Goalkeeper

Bayer Leverkusen’s Matěj Kovář is one of the most in-form goalkeepers in European football heading into this World Cup. A Champions League finalist with Leverkusen this season, Kovář brings elite shot-stopping ability, commanding presence in the box, and the kind of big-game experience that only comes from playing at the very highest level every week. He is the best Czech goalkeeper at a World Cup since Petr Čech — and this tournament is his chance to announce himself on the global stage.

Adam Hložek — The Injury Comeback Kid

Attacking midfielder Adam Hložek of Hoffenheim has recovered from a long-term injury to be included in the preliminary squad. Hložek missed most of the season due to calf and foot injuries but has been fit, said coach Koubek, who wants to test him in warmup games.

The 23-year-old brings pace, creativity, and a two-footed quality that makes him one of Czechia’s most dangerous wide attackers. His comeback from injury is one of the most closely watched storylines of their World Cup preparation — and if Koubek can get him to his peak form in training, Hložek could be the player who unlocks defences that know how to stop Schick.

Pavel Šulc — The Leverkusen Surprise

Bayer Leverkusen’s Pavel Šulc is perhaps the most exciting selection in Czechia’s squad — a technically gifted attacking midfielder whose inclusion signals genuine ambition. 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. Šulc’s Champions League experience with Leverkusen gives him a platform that few Czech players have ever enjoyed heading into a World Cup.

Hugo Sochůrek — The 17-Year-Old Wildcard

The most extraordinary name in the preliminary squad is Hugo Sochůrek. The 17-year-old Sparta Prague midfielder received a surprise call-up — making him one of the youngest players in the entire 2026 World Cup squad pool. Koubek has said the teenager will at least be given a chance in the Kosovo friendly, with his future in the final 26 depending on that performance. If he makes the cut, Sochůrek would be among the youngest players at the entire tournament.

The Disciplinary Blow: Chorý and Doudera Expelled

The preparation camp has not been without drama. Tomáš Chorý, a striker for Slavia Prague, and David Doudera, a midfielder, are also on the list of 54 players. They both received red cards during the weekend derby, which was abandoned as fans invaded the field, and they were later expelled from the team.

The expulsions are a significant blow. Chorý had been considered a potential starting striker alongside Schick — his physical presence and aerial ability giving Czechia a completely different attacking profile. With both players removed from consideration before the camp even began, Koubek had to adjust his plans. Their absence has opened doors for the younger, less experienced players in the preliminary squad.

Pre-Tournament Warm-Up Matches

The national team begins its training camp on May 28 in Prague. Three days later, the Czechs will play a farewell friendly against Kosovo on May 31 before travelling to the United States. Once in North America, they will face Guatemala in a friendly match on June 4 in New Jersey before arriving the following day in Dallas, which will serve as their World Cup base camp.

The Kosovo match doubles as the squad announcement mechanism — three players cut immediately after. The Guatemala friendly in New Jersey on June 4 is the final competitive rehearsal before competitive football begins. Dallas will be home base for the entire tournament.

Czechia’s Group A Fixtures — FIFA World Cup 2026

The Czech Republic will open its 2026 World Cup campaign on June 11 against South Korea, then face South Africa on June 18 before taking on Mexico and El Tri on June 24 at Estadio Azteca.

🇨🇿 Czechia vs 🇰🇷 South Korea — June 11, 2026 | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
🇨🇿 Czechia vs 🇿🇦 South Africa — June 18, 2026 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
🇲🇽 Mexico vs 🇨🇿 Czechia — June 24, 2026 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City ⭐

The fixture against South Korea on June 11 is the opening test — a match Czechia must target as their best chance for three points, given the relative quality of their respective squads.

South Africa, returning to the World Cup after 16 years, present a physical and passionate challenge in Atlanta.

The highlight of Group A comes last — Mexico at the legendary Estadio Azteca, with 87,000 passionate fans creating an electric atmosphere, in what could be a winner-takes-all showdown for a spot in the knockout rounds.

Playing at the Azteca in Mexico City — one of the most intimidating venues in world football — will be the ultimate test of Koubek’s squad. For Schick, Souček, and the Czech veterans, it will also be the most unforgettable football experience of their careers.

Czech Republic’s World Cup History: A Nation With Deep Footballing Roots

The Czech Republic may be returning to the World Cup for only the second time as an independent nation, but their footballing roots run far deeper than that record suggests.

As Czechoslovakia, they competed in eight World Cups — reaching the final twice (1934 and 1962). The 1962 team, who lost to Brazil in the final, remains a benchmark of Central European footballing excellence. After the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia in 1993, Czech Republic and Slovakia each began their World Cup journeys independently.

As the Czech Republic, they appeared at the World Cup only once before 2026 — in Germany 2006, where they were eliminated in the group stage. They have been European Championship regulars throughout this period — reaching the semi-finals in 1996 and the quarter-finals multiple times — but the World Cup has proved elusive.

World Cup 2026 is the first edition of this tournament that the Czechs have qualified for in exactly 20 years. The 20-year absence makes this return all the more significant — and the expectation is that Koubek’s squad will not simply participate, but compete.

Can Czechia Reach the Knockout Rounds?

They know they won’t be among the favourites, but Koubek will want to spring some surprises. There’s every chance they can if they get through to the next round — and that’s possible given they’re in Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

The analysis is straightforward. South Korea are technically capable but vulnerable at the back. South Africa are passionate and organised but domestically-based. Mexico, as co-hosts, carry enormous pressure and play their group stage in front of their own fans — a double-edged sword that could work in Czechia’s favour.

If Schick fires, if Souček dominates the midfield battle, and if Kovář keeps clean sheets, Czechia have every reason to believe they can advance. A win over South Korea and a draw against South Africa could be enough. Then, with a knockout spot already secured, they face Mexico in what could be the greatest occasion in Czech football history.

Czechia are back. The 20-year wait is over. North America awaits.