P. Šulc

The Czech Republic arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a side our AI model treats firmly as outsiders, attaching a 0.0% title probability and just a 0.3% chance of reaching the semi-finals. The numbers reflect a team that competes hard but lacks the strength in depth of the tournament's heavyweights. Even so, qualification means there is a generation worth watching, built around a familiar Slavia Praha core and one bona fide European striker, and the squad has been confirmed for the showpiece in North America.

The attacking burden is shared between two recognisable names. Tomáš Chorý has had a productive club campaign at Slavia Praha with 17 goals and 4 assists at a 7.28 rating, while Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen brings pedigree and 16 goals to the line. The creative hub, though, is Lukáš Provod, whose 7 goals and 10 assists and team-best 7.44 rating make him the standout. Lyon's Pavel Šulc adds further midfield goal threat with 11 strikes, giving the Czechs more attacking variety than their ranking suggests.

Drawn in Group A, the Czechs face a tight battle simply to advance, and the model's projections make clear that progress beyond the early knockout rounds would be a genuine overachievement. With firepower in Chorý, Schick and Provod they can trouble anyone on their day, but realistically this is a team aiming to escape the group and enjoy a knockout cameo rather than mount a serious run.