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Arun - May 22, 2026
The story of how Czech Republic got to this World Cup is almost more remarkable than anything they might do in it. They lost to the Faroe Islands in qualifying. Their manager was sacked. A 74-year-old replacement was brought in weeks before the playoffs with almost no preparation time. They then came back from two goals down to beat the Republic of Ireland on penalties, and followed it up by eliminating Denmark, again on penalties, five days later.
Two shootouts in five days. That is how Czech Republic qualified for their first World Cup since 2006. Nobody expected it. Nobody planned for it. And yet here they are, drawn in Group A alongside hosts Mexico, South Korea and South Africa, with a very realistic chance of reaching the knockout rounds.
The underestimation of this team is their greatest weapon. Czech Republic are physical, organized, dangerous from set pieces, and led by one of the most clinical penalty-box forwards in European football. In low-scoring, tight tournament games, exactly the kind that define the group stage, they are a very uncomfortable opponent.
Czechia open their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A campaign against South Korea and will be hoping to grab at least a point from the opening match before going into a potential six-pointer with South Africa. Their final match is against host nation Mexico on 24th June.
“We are not here to make up the numbers. We qualified the hard way; we know how to handle pressure.” – Miroslav Koubek
Appearances: 2 as Czech Republic | Best finish: Runners-up (as Czechoslovakia, 1934 and 1962) | 20 years since last appearance
Age 74 · Appointed December 2025 · Managed 2 competitive matches before the World Cup
Appointed in December 2025 after Ivan Hasek was sacked following a shocking qualifying defeat to the Faroe Islands, Koubek arrived with almost no preparation time and a squad in crisis. What he delivered was extraordinary; two comeback performances in the playoffs, both won on penalties, against Ireland and Denmark.
His philosophy is built on mental resilience, defensive structure, and giving players the freedom to express themselves within a disciplined framework. The biggest question heading into the tournament is not his tactics; it is time. With only two competitive matches as manager before June, how well his system has been absorbed by the squad remains the key uncertainty.
Formation: 3-4-1-2 (with 3-4-2-1 variant)
Czech Republic’s system is built around a back three that provides defensive solidity, with aggressive wing-backs pushing high to create width. The double pivot in central midfield, anchored by Tomas Soucek, shields the back line and provides the platform for quick transitions into the front two.
Their most dangerous weapon is set pieces. Czech Republic scored more dead-ball goals than any other European nation in the qualifying cycle. Every corner, free kick and long throw is a genuine scoring threat, particularly with Schick’s aerial presence in the box. Against teams that defend set pieces poorly, this alone can win matches.
Against stronger sides like Mexico, Koubek invites pressure and looks to transition quickly. Against defensively organized opponents, they have enough creative quality through Sulc and Cerny to find solutions, though they are more reliable from dead balls than sustained open-play build-up.
Centre-forward · Bayer Leverkusen · Age 29 | Czech caps: 52 | International goals: 25
Czech Republic’s most important player by a significant distance. Schick is one of the most complete centre-forwards in European football; aerially dominant, clinical with both feet, intelligent in his movement, and capable of scoring from nothing. At Bayer Leverkusen he won the Bundesliga in 2024 and has been among the top scorers in Germany this season. With 25 goals in 52 appearances for Czech Republic, he is their all-time great in front of goal. In a group stage defined by tight, low-scoring matches, one moment of Schick quality can decide everything.
Central midfielder · West Ham United · Age 29 | Czech caps: 90+
The engine of Czech Republic’s midfield and one of the most underrated players at this tournament. Soucek at West Ham is a physically imposing, box-to-box midfielder who covers every blade of grass, wins aerial duels, and arrives late into the box to contribute goals. He is the player who makes Czech Republic’s defensive structure work; without him, the double pivot loses its authority and the back three becomes exposed. If Czech Republic are to cause a genuine upset at this World Cup, Soucek’s performance level will be central to it.
Goalkeeper · Bayer Leverkusen · Age 25
Czech Republic’s most important defensive asset and arguably one of the most underappreciated goalkeepers heading into this tournament. Kovar at Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga and is a dominant, commanding presence; an outstanding shot-stopper with excellent distribution and the kind of big-game temperament that comes from competing at the highest level week in, week out. He is the player that can single-handedly keep Czech Republic in matches.
Right wing-back · West Ham United · Age 32 | Czech caps: 90+
In Czech Republic’s 3-4-1-2, the wing-backs are not just defensive options; they are the width of the entire team. Coufal on the right is one of the most experienced players in the squad, with over 90 caps and years of Premier League football at West Ham. His ability to bomb forward, deliver accurate crosses, and track back without complaint makes him the perfect fit for Koubek’s system. He and Jurasek on the left give Czech Republic genuine width in attack, and their delivery into the box feeds directly into Schick’s aerial threat.
Czech Republic has the ability to make everyone sweat for every point. On paper, they do not have the squad depth or quality of Mexico and South Korea. This makes the round two fixture against South Africa crucial.
They are heavy favourites to qualify from the group as one of the best third-placed teams in the expanded 48-team format.
The betting angle is clear: Czech Republic are consistently underestimated by the market. Their set-piece threat alone gives them a realistic chance of scoring in every game. Schick to score anytime in the group stage is a strong value bet; he is in form, he is motivated, and the service from Coufal and Soucek is exactly what he needs. Czech Republic to qualify from the group at current odds also merits serious consideration.
The ceiling for this team is the round of 16. Beyond that, the preparation time deficit and the tactical coherence questions become more significant against higher-quality opposition.
For full Group A analysis, read our World Cup 2026 Group A Preview. Also check our profiles for Mexico, South Korea and South Africa. All our World Cup 2026 predictions and analysis are available on LeagueLane.
