Czechia head coach Miroslav Koubek has named his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the European nation will face Bafana Bafana in their second Group A match on 18 June.
After twenty years in the wilderness, Czechia are back at a FIFA World Cup – and they have arrived in Group A alongside South Africa, Mexico, and South Korea with a squad that should not be underestimated.
Koubek has named his final 26-man squad and the quality in it will make for uncomfortable viewing for Bafana’s technical staff.
Schick Leads a Dangerous Attack
Make no mistake – this Czech side is built around Patrik Schick.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker brings 25 international goals from 52 caps into this tournament and has spent the season terrorising Bundesliga defenders as one of the German league’s top scorers.
He won the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen in 2024 and arrives at this World Cup in the form of his life. Neutralising him must be Bafana’s defensive priority.
Supporting him are Pavel Šulc and Adam Karabec of Olympique Lyon, plus Matěj Vydra and Adam Hlóžek – this is not a one-man attack.
Souček: The Man Bafana Must Stop
If Schick is the threat in front of goal, Tomáš Souček is the engine. The West Ham midfielder is box-to-box, combative, and capable of contributing at both ends.
Alongside him, Vladimír Coufal provides experience from right-back, while Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Martin Vítík are defenders on the rise who could make names for themselves in the event.
Between the sticks, PSV Eindhoven’s Matěj Kovář is expected to start, with Tottenham’s Antonín Kinský pushing hard for the gloves.
What This Means for Bafana
For South African football fans, this squad announcement carries weight beyond neutral interest. Hugo Broos’ side will need to bring their very best to contain Schick and company.
The Czechs head to a pre-tournament training camp in New Jersey, arriving in North America sharp and battle-ready.
Given their 20-year absence from this stage, there is something to prove – and that hunger could make them the most dangerous side in Group A on their day.
Czechia squad in full:
