Czech Republic Unveil Preliminary World Cup Squad | OneFootball

The Czech Republic national team has revealed its preliminary 29-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, marking what will be its second appearance in the tournament as an independent nation. Before that, they played in eight World Cups as Czechoslovakia, even reaching two finals. 

But relax, this is football coverage, not a history lecture.

Following the path of fellow Group A rival South Korea (the first team in the group to announce its squad) the Europeans already have most of their World Cup roster figured out. Only three players still need to be cut before the final 26-man list is submitted.

The announcement was made through the team’s official social media channels with an emotional video featuring family members of several players showing childhood photos and memories. Because apparently no modern World Cup reveal is complete without reminding everyone that even international center backs were once tiny kids with questionable haircuts.

Czech Roster social post. Source: @ceskarepre_cz on X

Among the biggest names included are goalkeeper Matej Kovar, veteran fullback Vladimir Coufal, center back Ladislav Krejci, midfielders Lukas Provod and Tomas Soucek, as well as forwards Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick.

Meanwhile, some notable absences include Beşiktas winger Vaclav Cerny and veteran striker Matej Vydra, whose years of Premier League experience ultimately were not enough to secure one last World Cup opportunity.

Head coach Miroslav Koubek will have to leave out three players before the final FIFA deadline on June 1.

Led by Tomáš Souček and Patrik Schick — plus the return of forward Adam Hložek — Koubek has assembled a squad that blends youth with experience in hopes of advancing to the Round of 32.

Czech Republic Preliminary Squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek, Matej Kovar, Jindrich Stanek

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, David Doudera, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Stepan Chaloupek, David Jurásek, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny, David Zima

Midfielders: Pavel Bucha, Lukas Cerv, Vladimir Darida, Tomas Ladra, Lukas Provod, Michal Sadilek, Hugo Sochurek, Alexandr Sojka, Tomáš Souček, Pavel Sulc, Denis Visinsky

Forwards: Adam Hlozek, Tomas Chory, Mojmir Chytil, Christophe Kabongo, Jan Kuchta, Patrik Schick

Czech Republic Build Up to the 2026 World Cup

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.

The national team will begin its training camp on May 28 in Prague. Three days later, the Czechs will play a farewell friendly against Kosovo on May 31 before traveling 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.

Before May 31, Miroslav Koubek must trim the roster from 29 players down to the final 26 that will officially represent the Czech Republic at the World Cup.

And while they may not arrive with the glamour of Europe’s biggest football powers, this Czech side will not be an easy opponent for Javier Aguirre’s Mexico. The Czechs qualified through the UEFA playoffs after eliminating Denmark in a penalty shootout to secure their ticket to the World Cup. A few days earlier, they had also knocked out Ireland — also on penalties — because apparently they decided the calm route simply was not dramatic enough.

Of the four teams in Group A, only Mexico and South Africa still have not announced their final squads, while South Korea revealed its roster last weekend.

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