Czech Republic 2026 World Cup Preview - Long Awaited Return for Former Powerhouse
Czechia (Czech Republic) returns to the World Cup after 20 years, having battled through tough playoffs under veteran manager Miroslav Koubek. The squad is heavily based around Slavia Prague, with key talent like Patrik Schick (top scorer), Tomas Soucek, and Pavel Sulc. Drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, and South Africa, Czechia is favored to advance but seen as outsiders (301/1 odds) to win the tournament. If Schick remains fit, expect him to be their standout player and likely top scorer.
- Czechia return to the World Cup after a 20 year wait
- They face Mexico, South Korea & South Africa in Group A
- Star striker Patrik Schick will be leading the line
The Czech Republic have finally ended two decades of heartbreak, returning to the world stage for the first time since 2006.
- World Cup History
- The Path to 2026 - Penalty Shootout Success
- The Manager - Miroslav Koubek
- The Squad - Slavia Prague Connection
- Players to Watch
- Group A Schedule and Path to the Final
- 2026 World Cup Winner Odds - Czech Republic Huge Outsiders
- Group A Winner Betting Odds
- Stage of Elimination Odds
- Schick the Undisputed Starter Up Front
Also known as Czechia, the former heavyweights arrive at the World Cup as a battle-hardened unit that survived a grueling European playoff.
World Cup History
The modern nation of Czech Republic have struggled to qualify but their ancestors, Czechoslovakia, reached two finals.
Czechoslovakia was dissolved in 1992 which created the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Italy | Runners-up |
| 1938 | France | Quarter-finals |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Group Stage |
| 1958 | Sweden | Group Stage |
| 1962 | Chile | Runners-up |
| 1970 | Mexico | Group Stage |
| 1982 | Spain | Group Stage |
| 1990 | Italy | Quarter-finals |
| 2006 | Germany | Group Stage |
The Path to 2026 - Penalty Shootout Success
Czechia's path to the 2026 World Cup was a rollercoaster. Manager Ivan Hasek was dismissed after a shocking 2-1 loss in the Faroe Islands, Jaroslav Köstl coming in to finish the group stage.
They finished second in Group L behind a dominant Croatia side and were forced into the second round.
Miroslav Koubek took charge and saw his side survive two penalty shootouts in five days. The Czech Republic came from 2-0 down against Republic of Ireland, winning the penalty shootout before winning another shootout against Denmark.
Czechia beat Kosovo 2-1 in Prague before departing for the World Cup. They have a final friendly in New Jersey on 4 June, taking on Guatemala.
The Manager - Miroslav Koubek
At 74, Miroslav Koubek is a veteran who was appointed in December 2025 specifically to navigate the second round. He has instilled a never-say-die attitude.
Koubek is known for his pragmatic defensive structures and psychological man-management.
The Squad - Slavia Prague Connection
The 2026 squad features 10 players from Czech powerhouse Slavia Prague, three from Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzen.
High quality players plying their trade in the English Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 add top level quality in key positions.
| Pos | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Matej Kovar | PSV |
| GK | Jindrich Stanek | Slavia Prague |
| GK | Lukas Hornicek | Braga |
| DF | Vladimir Coufal | Hoffenheim |
| DF | Tomas Holes | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Ladislav Krejci | Wolverhampton |
| DF | David Zima | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Jaroslav Zeleny | Sparta Prague |
| DF | David Jurasek | Slavia Prague |
| DF | David Doudera | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Robin Hranac | Hoffenheim |
| DF | Stepan Chaloupek | Slavia Prague |
| MF | Tomas Soucek | West Ham United |
| MF | Vladimir Darida | Hradec Kralove |
| MF | Lukas Provod | Slavia Prague |
| MF | Michal Sadilek | Slavia Prague |
| MF | Pavel Sulc | Lyon |
| MF | Lukas Cerv | Viktoria Plzen |
| MF | Hugo Sochurek | Sparta Prague |
| MF | Alexandr Sojka | Viktoria Plzen |
| MF | Denis Visinsky | Viktoria Plzen |
| FW | Patrik Schick | Bayer Leverkusen |
| FW | Adam Hlozek | Hoffenheim |
| FW | Jan Kuchta | Sparta Prague |
| FW | Tomas Chory | Slavia Prague |
| FW | Mojmir Chytil | Slavia Prague |
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2) Matej Kovar; Stepan Chaloupek, Robin Hranac, Ladislav Krejci; Vladimir Coufal, Vladimir Darida, Tomas Soucek, David Jurasek; Lukas Provod, Pavel Sulc; Patrik Schick
Players to Watch
- Ladislav Krejci: The heartbeat of the team. A talented central defender who excels in aerial duels and leadership.
- Tomas Soucek: The engine room. His late runs into the box and defensive screening are vital for the team's balance.
- Pavel Sulc: The playmaker has been playing well for Lyon and provides the creative spark in the final third.
- Patrik Schick: The talisman. If Schick stays fit, the Bayer Leverkusen striker can showcase his clinical finishing and give the Czechs a great chance in Group A.
Group A Schedule and Path to the Final
Czechia are in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and South Africa. They end their campaign against the co-hosts at Estadio Azteca.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | South Korea | Estadio Akron, Zapopan |
| June 18 | South Africa | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| June 24 | Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
Topping Group A will see the Czech Republic stay in Mexico and face on a third-placed qualifier.
Finishing second in the group would see Miroslav Koubek's side take on Group B runners-up in Los Angeles.
Qualifying as one of the top eight third-placed teams would see them face a group stage winner which could be Germany or Belgium.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds - Czech Republic Huge Outsiders
Czechia are currently available at odds round 300/1 alongside Egypt and Ivory Coast.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain |
5.50 |
| France |
6.00 |
| England |
7.00 |
| Brazil |
9.00 |
| Argentina |
9.00 |
| Portugal |
11.00 |
| Germany |
15.00 |
| Netherlands |
21.00 |
| Norway |
26.00 |
| Belgium |
34.00 |
| Colombia |
34.00 |
| Japan |
51.00 |
| Morocco |
51.00 |
| USA |
67.00 |
| Uruguay |
67.00 |
| Switzerland |
81.00 |
| Mexico |
81.00 |
| Turkey |
81.00 |
| Croatia |
81.00 |
| Ecuador |
101.00 |
| Senegal |
126.00 |
| Sweden |
126.00 |
| Austria |
151.00 |
| Paraguay |
151.00 |
| Canada |
151.00 |
| Scotland |
251.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
251.00 |
| Ivory Coast |
301.00 |
| Egypt |
301.00 |
| Czech Republic |
301.00 |
| Ghana |
401.00 |
| Algeria |
401.00 |
| South Korea |
501.00 |
| Australia |
501.00 |
| Tunisia |
501.00 |
| Iran |
501.00 |
| DR Congo |
751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia |
1001.00 |
| South Africa |
1001.00 |
| New Zealand |
1501.00 |
| Panama |
1501.00 |
| Iraq |
1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan |
1501.00 |
| Qatar |
2001.00 |
| Cape Verde |
2001.00 |
| Jordan |
2501.00 |
| Haiti |
3001.00 |
| Curacao |
3501.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 1 June 2026
Group A Winner Betting Odds
Czechia sit second in the Group A winner odds, level with South Korea.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 1.91 |
| Czechia | 4.00 |
| South Korea | 4.00 |
| South Africa | 13.00 |
Stage of Elimination Odds
Czechia are expected to get out of the group stage and are healthy odds to get to the quarter-finals.
| Stage | Odds |
|---|---|
| Round of 32 |
2.20 |
| Group Stage |
3.50 |
| Round of 16 |
4.00 |
| Quarter-finals |
10.00 |
| Semi-finals |
31.00 |
| Runner-Up |
126.00 |
| Winner |
301.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 1 June 2026
Schick the Undisputed Starter Up Front
Patrik Schick was the top scorer in the qualifers with five goals. He is finishd the season strong for Bayer Leverkusen and will travel to the World Cup with plenty of confidence.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Patrik Schick |
2.75 |
| Tomas Chory |
6.00 |
| Mojmir Chytil |
6.00 |
| Pavel Sulc |
6.00 |
| Jan Kliment |
9.00 |
| Lukas Cerv |
13.00 |
| Adam Karabec |
13.00 |
| Tomas Soucek |
13.00 |
| Ladislav Krejci |
17.00 |
| Vladimir Darida |
17.00 |
| Lukas Provod |
21.00 |
| Robin Hranac |
21.00 |
| David Jurasek |
26.00 |
| Michal Sadilek |
26.00 |
| Tomas Holes |
26.00 |
| Vladmir Coufal |
34.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 1 June 2026
Verdict
Czechia are short odds to get out of the group stage but I doubt they can get to the quarter-finals.
Patrik Schick was the top scorer in the qualifiers, has scored 20+ goals in his last two seasons for Bayer Leverkusen and is a solid shout to top score for his nation.
Patrik Schick
Czech Republic Top Team Goalscorer
@7/4 - 3 Units
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