The 17-year-old prodigy has a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

(NLĐO) - The Czech Republic has attracted attention by including 17-year-old midfielder Hugo Sochurek in its official 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The Sparta Prague player received good news immediately after being brought on as a substitute in the friendly match against Kosovo, which Sparta Prague won 2-1 in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 1st ( Hanoi time).

Born on June 7, 2008, midfielder Sochurek became the youngest player ever to wear the Czech Republic national team jersey.

Czech Republic midfielder Hugo Sochurek (left) vies for the ball with Kosovo's Dion Gallapeni during a friendly match on June 1st (Hanoi time). Photo: AP

Immediately after the friendly match against Kosovo, coach Miroslav Koubek announced that he had shortened the preliminary squad from 29 to 26 players who would be heading to North America.

The prodigy Sochurek not only maintained his position but also prepared for his first World Cup, marking a remarkably rare milestone.

The three players dropped were midfielder Pavel Bucha of FC Cincinnati, forward Christophe Kabongo of Mlada Boleslav, and midfielder Tomas Ladra of Viktoria Plzen.

"Having to drop a player from the squad was the hardest decision and perhaps the worst moment of my coaching career," AP quoted coach Miroslav Koubek as saying.

Besides the 17-year-old talent, the Czech Republic national team also received positive news from attacking midfielder Adam Hlozek. The Hoffenheim star, who recently returned after a long period of calf and foot injuries, played his first match for the national team since June and immediately scored. This was Hlozek's fifth goal in 42 appearances for the Czech national team.

He will join key players such as Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek, and Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc in carrying the expectations for the 2026 World Cup.

Midfielder Adam Hlozek takes a shot during the Czech Republic's 2-1 victory over Kosovo on June 1st (Hanoi time).

Notably, coach Koubek still called up striker Tomas Chory and defender David Doudera of Slavia Prague. Both are suspended for the rest of the season by their club for disciplinary reasons and are also on the transfer list.

According to the plan, the Czech Republic will travel to the US and play their final friendly match against Guatemala in New Jersey on June 4th. During the World Cup, the team will be based in Mansfield, Texas.

This is the Czech Republic's first appearance at the World Cup since 2006. They will be based in Mansfield, Texas, USA. However, the Czech Republic will play two of their three group stage matches in Mexico, facing South Korea (June 11), South Africa (June 18), and host nation Mexico (June 25).

List of 26 Czech Republic players for the 2026 World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague).

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague).

Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Lyon), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen).

Forwards: Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/than-dong-17-tuoi-co-ve-du-world-cup-2026-196260601084622905.htm