Czechia enters the World Cup with an underdog profile but limited technical tools. The team has often depended on physicality, work-rate, aggression, and set pieces, shown in playoff wins over the Republic of Ireland and Denmark decided on penalties after hard-fought matches. Long-distance travel, time-zone changes, and altitude are major concerns, especially for two matches in Mexico City around 2,000 metres above sea level, with the team based in Dallas. The midfield leader Tomas Soucek remains central after losing the captaincy following a failure to thank fans after a 6-0 win. Ladislav Krejci captained the playoffs, scored in both ties, and helped drive the team forward. Patrik Schick is expected to lead the attack, with improved fitness.
"For a long time the team have lacked technical players and rely too heavily on physicality, work-rate, aggression, and set pieces. That was evident in the World Cup playoffs against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark, winning both ties on penalties after two battling performances. The plan The role of the underdog has historically suited Czechia and perhaps they will be able to surprise people again but they do not have many tools to do so."
"At the World Cup long-distance travel, time-zone changes and altitude will play a major role and there are question marks over how the team will cope with playing two matches in Mexico at about 2,000 metres above sea level. Especially as the team base is in Dallas. The spine of the team is experienced. Tomas Soucek remains the leader in midfield despite being stripped of the captaincy after the players failed to thank the fans after a 6-0 win against Gibraltar."
"Ladislav Krejci, the hard-tackling Wolves centre-back, stepped in as captain and scored in both playoff matches and drove the team forward. In attack Patrik Schick is expected to be the main weapon again and his fitness improved for Bayer Leverkusen towards the end of the 2025-26 season. There was embarrassment a historic defeat to the Faro"
Read at www.theguardian.com
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