The Czech Republic national football team has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Denmark in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in their European playoff final in Prague. The victory ends a 20-year absence from the tournament for the Czechs, who last appeared in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
According to verified match reports, the playoff match on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, was tied 2-2 after extra time, forcing a decisive penalty shootout. Czech midfielder Michal Sadílek scored the winning penalty to secure the qualification. The match was a tense affair, with Denmark fighting back from a deficit to force extra time.
With this result, the Czech Republic has been drawn into Group F for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their group stage opponents will be Mexico, South Africa, and Sweden. The qualification marks a significant achievement for the team under coach Jaroslav Šilhavý.
