Czechia clinched their FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket in dramatic fashion. Successive penalty-shootout wins against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark in the UEFA play-offs booked their return to the global finals after a 20-year absence.
The Czechs will be out to make an impact in North America, where they will contest Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and Korea Republic.
Czechia coach: Miroslav Koubek
Czechia’s thrilling play-off victories were Koubek’s first matches in charge, with the 74-year-old only taking the reins in December 2025. He succeeded Ivan Hasek, who was dismissed following the nation’s shock defeat to the Faroe Islands in World Cup qualifying.
Koubek was a goalkeeper in his playing days, notably representing Sparta Prague, and began his coaching journey in the early 1980s. His roles have included three stints with Viktoria Plzen and a spell at the helm of the national team’s U-19 side.
Czechia’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group
How Czechia qualified for World Cup 2026
Czechia finished runners-up in their UEFA qualifying group behind section winners Croatia. That meant a place in the play-offs and first up was a semi-final against the Republic of Ireland. Czechia’s prospects looked bleak when they fell 2-0 down in Prague, but they fought back impressively, with a Patrik Schick penalty followed by a late Ladislav Krejci leveller. They eventually prevailed on spot-kicks to set up a home showdown with Denmark. A see-saw battle again finished 2-2 after extra-time, with Pavel Sulc and captain Krejci on target for Koubek’s men. With the Danes only able to covert one of their four attempts in the shootout, Michal Sadilek stepped up to fire Czechia to World Cup 2026.
Czechia’s World Cup history
Czechia competed as Czechoslovakia at World Cups from 1930-1994 and as Czech Republic from 1998-2014.
Czechia’s best World Cup
Competing as the former state of Czechoslovakia, runners-up finishes were achieved at the 1934 and 1962 tournaments. They overcame Romania, Switzerland and Germany to reach their maiden final, where they were edged out after extra-time by host nation Italy. At Chile 1962, Czechoslovakia beat Hungary and Yugoslavia in the knockout phase, but Brazil proved too strong in the Santiago showpiece.
Czechia’s last World Cup
Their last World Cup appearance was at Germany 2006. By that stage, the country was known as the Czech Republic following the split with Slovakia more than a decade earlier. The Czechs got off to a dream start, with Tomas Rosicky’s double helping them to a 3-0 victory over USA. Subsequent defeats to Ghana and Italy, however, led to a group-phase exit.
Czechia’s first World Cup
Czechoslovakia’s World Cup debut came at Italy 1934. The competition featured 16 teams and was played in a straight knockout format. After coming from behind to beat Romania in the opening round and Switzerland in the quarter-finals, Oldrich Nejedly’s hat-trick propelled them to a 3-1 last-four win over Germany. In the decider against Italy, Antonin Puc put Czechoslovakia ahead, but Raimundo Orsi equalised for the Azzurri. The hosts then bagged an extra-time winner through Angelo Schiavio.
Czechia’s World Cup top scorer
Nejedly finished as the 1934 tournament’s top scorer with five goals. The Sparta Prague legend also played for his country at France 1938, netting twice at the tournament as Czechoslovakia reached the quarter-finals. No Czech player has recorded more than his seven World Cup strikes, with Tomas Skuhravy next on the list with five.
Nejedly – whose stunning performances lit up the 1934 finals in Italy – died during the 1990 World Cup, which was held in the same country.
Czechia’s record World Cup appearance-maker
Ladislav Novak played in three World Cups for Czechoslovakia, making 12 appearances across those tournaments. The defender was a key part of the side which reached the final at Chile 1962. After calling time on his playing career, Novak went on to have a short stint in charge of the senior national team.
Czechia’s memorable World Cup moments
They were many dramatic moments in Czechoslovakia’s runs to two World Cup finals, with Nejedly’s hat-trick in the 1934 semi against Germany particularly thrilling.
In 1962, meanwhile, their last-four clash with Yugoslavia was on knife-edge at 1-1 heading into the 80th minute before a late Adolf Scherer brace earned Czechoslovakia victory.
Czechoslovakia’s best run since ’62 came at Italy 1990, when they reached the quarter-finals. A last-16 win over Costa Rica was a high point, with hulking striker Tomas Skuhravy bagging a hat-trick in a 4-1 success.
Czechia’s biggest World Cup win
Czechoslovakia produced a stunning all-round performance against Argentina in the group stage at Sweden 1958. Zdenek Zikan and Vaclav Hovorka both scored twice as La Albiceleste were trounced 6-1 in Helsingborg.
