PRAGUE (AP) — Attacking midfielder Adam Hložek of Hoffenheim has recovered from a long-term injury and been included in the preliminary Czech Republic squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Injury Recovery
Hložek missed most of the season due to calf and foot injuries but has returned to full fitness, confirmed coach Miroslav Koubek, who intends to test him in warmup games ahead of the tournament.
The 23-year-old last appeared for the national team in World Cup qualifying last June, earning 41 caps with four goals scored.
New Additions
Koubek named three newcomers in the 29-man squad: 17-year-old Sparta Prague midfielder Hugo Sochůrek, Viktoria Plzeň midfielder Alexandr Sojka, and Mladá Boleslav forward Christophe Kabongo.
"They will at least get a chance in the warmup against Kosovo on May 31 in Prague," Koubek said. Immediately after that match, the coach will trim the squad to 26 players before traveling to the United States for an additional friendly against Guatemala in New Jersey on June 4.
World Cup Preparations
Three players who featured during the playoff qualifiers against Ireland and Denmark have yet to rejoin the team, including Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha.
Team mainstays include Lyon midfielder Pavel Šulc, Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, and West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček.
Koubek also selected two Slavia Prague players — forward Tomáš Chorý and defender David Douděra — who were suspended for disciplinary reasons by their club for the remainder of the season and subsequently listed for transfer.
Tournament Details
During the World Cup, the Czechs will be based in Mansfield, Texas, near Dallas.
They will open the tournament — co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada — against South Korea on June 12 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Group A opponents also include South Africa (June 18 in Atlanta) and Mexico (June 25 in Mexico City).
The Czechs qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Squad Roster
Goalkeepers
- Lukáš Horníček (Braga)
- Matěj Kovář (PSV Eindhoven)
- Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Prague)
Defenders
- Vladimír Coufal (Hoffenheim)
- David Douděra (Slavia Prague)
- Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague)
- Robin Hranáč (Hoffenheim)
- Štěpán Chaloupek (Slavia Prague)
- David Jurásek (Slavia Prague)
- Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton)
- Jaroslav Zelený (Sparta Prague)
- David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders
- Pavel Bucha (Cincinnati)
- Lukáš Červ (Viktoria Plzeň)
- Vladimír Darida (Hradec Králové)
- Tomáš Ladra (Viktoria Plzeň)
- Lukáš Provod (Slavia Prague)
- Michal Sadílek (Slavia Prague)
- Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta Prague)
- Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzeň)
- Tomáš Souček (West Ham)
- Pavel Šulc (Lyon)
- Denis Višinský (Viktoria Plzeň)
Forwards
- Tomáš Chorý (Slavia Prague)
- Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim)
- Mojmír Chytil (Slavia Prague)
- Christophe Kabongo (Mladá Boleslav)
- Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague)
- Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)