Czech Republic World Cup 2026 squad: Miroslav Koubek's 55-man preliminary squad

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The Czech Republic World Cup 2026 squad is shaping up ahead of a return to the finals after a lengthy absence.

World Cup 2026 is the first edition of this tournament that the Czechs have qualified for in exactly 20 years – which comes as some surprise, given that they’re regulars in the European Championship, and though they know they won’t be be among the favourites, Miroslav Koubek’s 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.

There are no major surprises when it comes to this squad: the spine of the side sees Matej Kovar in goal, Tomas Holes ahead in defence, Tomas Soucek in the centre of the park and Patrik Schick leading the line.

Those key stars have each made the squad this time along with Matej Vydra, Adam Hlozek and Pavel Suic, while defenders Ladislav Krejci and Martin Vitik are both players to watch, too.

Perhaps the biggest name missing out on a place in the 55 is Vítezslav Jaros, at Ajax on loan from Liverpool, and not deemed to be one of the top seven goalkeepers in the country – Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky is, despite being uncapped.

This may be the first time since the days of Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech that the Czechs grace the world stage with our presence, but with a couple of quaarter-finals under their belt at the Euros since then, they’ll be confident of upsetting the odds.

Squad

Czech Republic World Cup 2026 squad: The 55-man preliminary squad

GK: Matej Kovar (PSV)
GK: Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)
GK: Martin Jedlicka (Banik Ostrava)
GK: Lukas Hornicek (Braga)
GK: Antonin Kinsky (Tottenham Hotspur)
GK: Jan Koutny (Sigma Olomouc)
GK: Jakub Markovic (Slavia Prague)
DF: Vladimir Coufal (TSG Hoffenheim)
DF: Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague)
DF: Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
DF: David Zima (Slavia Prague)
DF: Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague)
DF: David Jurasek (Slavia Prague)
DF: David Doudera (Slavia Prague)
DF: Robin Hranac (TSG Hoffenheim)
DF: Vaclav Jemelka (Viktoria Plzen)
DF: Martin Vitik (Bologna)
DF: Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague)
DF: Tomas Vlcek (Slavia Prague)
DF: Matej Hadas (Sigma Olomouc)
DF: Adam Sevinsky (Sparta Prague)
DF: Karel Spacil (Viktoria Plzen)
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: Adam Karabec (Lyon)
MF: Michal Beran (Sigma Olomouc)
MF: Lukas Sadilek (Gornik Zabrze)
MF: Krystof Danek (LASK)
MF: Matej Rynes (Sparta Prague)
MF: Patrik Hellebrand (Gornik Zabrze)
MF: Tomas Ladra (Viktoria Plzen)
MF: Lukas Ambros (Gornik Zabrze)
MF: Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati)
MF: Ondrej Kricfalusi (Banik Ostrava)
MF: David Planka (Banik Ostrava)
MF: Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague)
MF: Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen)
MF: Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)
FW: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
FW: Matej Vydra (Viktoria Plzen)
FW: Adam Hlozek (TSG Hoffenheim)
FW: Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague)
FW: Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague)
FW: Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague)
FW: Jan Kliment (Sigma Olomouc)
FW: Vasil Kusej (Slavia Prague)
FW: Vaclav Sejk (Sigma Olomouc)
FW: Christophe Kabongo (Mlada Boleslav)
FW: Ondrej Mihalik (Hradec Kralove)
FW: Vojtech Patrak (Pardubice)

Fixtures and results

Fixtures

June 12, 2026: South Korea vs Czech Republic, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
June 18, 2026: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
June 25, 2026: Czech Republic vs Mexico, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
September 26, 2026: Czech Republic vs Croatia, TBD
September 29, 2026: Czech Republic vs England, TBD
October 03, 2026: Spain vs Czech Republic, TBD
October 06, 2026: England vs Czech Republic, TBD
November 12, 2026: Czech Republic vs Spain, TBD
November 15, 2026: Croatia vs Czech Republic, TBD

Who is Czech Republic’s manager?

Czech Republic manager Miroslav Koubek | Credit: Getty Images

The managerial career of 74-year-old Czech Republic boss Miroslav Koubek began in 1983. The Prague-born former goalkeeper has worked almost exclusively in what is now the Czech Republic, winning the league title as a relative veteran in 2015 during his second spell with Viktoria Plzen.

Subsequent periods as head coach of Bohemians and Hradec Kralove were followed by an impressive third stint in charge of Plzen, which ultimately led to Koubek’s appointment as national team coach.

The Czechs’ failure to qualify automatically for the World Cup spelled the end for former boss Ivan Hasek. Jaroslav Kostl oversaw the 6-0 win over Gibraltar in November before Koubek was given the job on a permanent basis.

Czech Republic’s Star Player

Who is Czech Republic’s star player?

Patrik Schick of Czech Republic | Credit: Getty Images

Soucek is the Czech Republic captain and one of the most recognisable names to fans of the Premier League, but it’s hard to look past the goalscoring record of Patrik Schick when looking for the player most likely to make an impact at World Cup 2026.

Now 30 years old, the imposing Bayer Leverkusen striker has perhaps fallen slightly short of the expectations many observers had for his international career, primarily because of injury and his team’s lack of World Cup presence, but 24 goals in 50 appearances tells its own story.

Schick is a treble winner with Leverkusen and an occasional scorer of spectacular goals. He netted four times in the qualifying group and another couple in March would go a long way.