Czechia

Czechoslovakia reached the FIFA World Cup final twice (1934, 1962) and the Czech Republic finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 1996 — giving this nation two all-time silver medals at the sport's biggest tournaments.

Patrik Schick's 45-metre wonder goal against Scotland at Euro 2020 was the longest recorded goal at a Euros since 1980 and won Goal of the Tournament; he finished as joint top scorer with five goals.

The 2026 squad features 10 players from a single club — SK Slavia Prague, the Czech champions — unusually high domestic cohesion for a World Cup squad.

Hugo Sochůrek (born June 7, 2008) is one of the youngest players at the entire 2026 tournament, making his senior international debut at age 17 just days before the squad cut.

Key Czech players are physically imposing — Tomáš Souček stands 192 cm and Patrik Schick 191 cm; set-pieces and aerial duels are a structural weapon for Koubek's side.

The chipped penalty known worldwide as 'the Panenka' was invented by Czechoslovakia's Antonín Panenka — who used it to win the Euro 1976 final against West Germany, the boldest spot-kick ever taken with a trophy on the line.

Josef Masopust opened the scoring in the 1962 World Cup final against Brazil and crowned the year by winning the Ballon d'Or — the first Czech footballer ever to claim the award.