Technical, disciplined, and back after two decades away.
Premier League title winner and Champions League winner with Chelsea — Czechia's most internationally recognised modern player.
Ballon d'Or winner in 2003 and the technical reference point of his generation of Czech football.
Bundesliga and Serie A striker, scorer of the famous long-range goal at Euro 2020 and a focal point of the modern attack.
Player information reflects historical significance, not current squad selection.
Czechia's 2026 qualification ends a 20-year absence from the World Cup, with their last appearance coming as Czech Republic at the 2006 tournament in Germany.
Czechia inherits a deep football tradition from Czechoslovakia, who reached two World Cup finals (1934 and 1962) and produced one of post-war Europe's most respected football cultures.
The Czech identity is built on technical midfielders, structured passing patterns, and a long tradition of producing intelligent footballers — a style closer to central European football than to its physical northern neighbours.
As an independent nation, Czechia have one prior World Cup appearance (2006). They also inherit Czechoslovakia's tradition, which included two World Cup finals (1934 and 1962). 2026 ends a 20-year absence.
Czech Republic's appearance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany was their last before a long absence that finally ends in 2026.
Czechia (as Czech Republic) reached the Euro 1996 final at Wembley, losing to Germany via the first major-tournament golden goal in football history.
Team information is based on historical records and official FIFA data. Player information reflects historical significance, not current squad selection. Facts are reviewed for accuracy but may not reflect the most recent competition results.
FIFA 2026 World Cup teams →