Back
Qualification image

Czechia end 20-year World Cup wait

Victory over Denmark sees Czechia secure their place in FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A where they will face Korea Republic, South Africa and Mexico.

Czechia have qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026™ after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Denmark, securing their first return to the global showpiece since Germany 2006.

Miroslav Koubek's side emerged from the UEFA play-offs after initially overcoming Republic of Ireland on spot-kicks in their semi-final, before once again demonstrating that they can hold their nerve from 12 yards with a 3-1 success against the Danes, following a 2-2 draw over 120 nerve-shredding minutes in Prague.

Czechia's reward is a place in Group A of the tournament, where they will face Korea Republic in Guadalajara, South Africa in Atlanta, and co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City.

Czechia were forced on to the UEFA play-off pathway after finishing second behind Croatia in Group L of the preliminary qualifying competition, with the 74-year-old Koubek named as their new coach in December 2025.

The nation's last World Cup outing saw them exit at the group stage, with a 3-0 victory over USA the highlight alongside defeats at the hands of Ghana and Italy.

Czechia at the FIFA World Cup

Tomas Rosicky celebrates scoring for Czech Republic against USA in Gelsenkirchen in Group E of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 12: Tomas Rosicky of Czech Republic celebrates scoring his second goal during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Group E match between USA and Czech Republic at the Stadium Gelsenkirchen on June 12, 2006 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

First appearance: Italy 1934
Qualifications: 10 (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1982, 1990, 2006, 2026)
Best result: Runners-up (1934 and 1962)

Czechia competed as Czechoslovakia at World Cups from 1930-1994 and as Czech Republic from 1998-2014.