Czechia’s World Cup 2026 Squad: Spotlight on Pavel Sulc
Following a resounding 3-1 victory against Kosovo, the Czech Republic has finalized its 26-player roster for the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Miroslav Koubek has made pivotal selections, notably including Pavel Sulc, an attacking midfielder from Olympique Lyonnais (OL). What makes Sulc’s inclusion significant is that he stands out as one of the few players not currently competing in the Czech league among a squad predominantly filled with domestic talent.
Key Players Abroad
Czechia’s roster features several notable players plying their trade in foreign leagues. Alongside Sulc, key figures include:
- Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim)
- Tomas Soucek (West Ham)
- Patrick Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
These players bring a wealth of international experience that will be essential in the high-pressure environment of the World Cup.
Group Stage Challenge
In the group stage, Czechia finds itself in Group A, facing formidable opponents:
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Mexico (the tournament host)
This combination of teams presents both challenges and opportunities as Czechia aims to advance beyond the group stage. The team’s preparation and adaptability will be crucial.
The Final List
Here’s a detailed look at the final roster announced by Miroslav Koubek:
Goalkeepers
- Lukas Hornicek (Braga)
- Matej Kovar (PSV)
- Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)
Defenders
- Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague)
- Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim)
- David Doudera (Slavia Prague)
- Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague)
- Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim)
- David Jurasek (Slavia Prague)
- Ladislav Krejci (Wolves)
- Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague)
- David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders
- Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen)
- Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralové)
- Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague)
- Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague)
- Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague)
- Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen)
- Tomas Soucek (West Ham)
- Pavel Sulc (OL)
- Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)
Forwards
- Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague)
- Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague)
- Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim)
- Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague)
- Patrick Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Looking Ahead
As the World Cup approaches, the Czech Republic’s blend of local and international talent sets the stage for a competitive campaign. With coach Miroslav Koubek at the helm and players like Pavel Sulc contributing their unique styles and skills, Czechia aims to make a memorable impact in the tournament.
Czech fans will be eagerly anticipating what this team can achieve on the world stage, and the excitement is palpable as players ready themselves for the challenge ahead.