OFFICIAL: Bafana's World Cup rivals go the experience route

Bafana Bafana's 2026 FIFA World Cup opponents, Czech Republic, have opted for an experienced squad after head coach Miroslav Koubek named his 54-man provisional team.

The Czech Republic were the final team to qualify for Group A of the World Cup after securing their place through a playoff victory against Denmark in March 2026.

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Led by Koubek, who is set to become the oldest coach to take charge of a World Cup match when the tournament begins, the Europeans have prioritised experience in their provisional squad.

Key names include Tomas Soucek of West Ham United and Patrik Schick, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen.

One of the Czech Republic’s most in-form players, Pavel Sulc of Olympique Lyonnais, also received a call-up despite some injury concerns.

Highly rated centre-back Ladislav Krejčí is also included in the squad.

The defender has been strongly linked with a move away from Wolverhampton Wanderers following their relegation from the Premier League, with Leeds United believed to be among the clubs interested in signing him.

The chairman of the Czech Football Association, David Trunda, speaking on the organisation’s official website, said the squad was based on sporting and team factors.

"The preliminary nomination of the national team is based on a comprehensive assessment of a whole range of sporting and team factors, which the head coach and the support team have been evaluating long-term for all players," averred the Chairman, adding that this is only a preliminary squad, not the final.

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"With the general sports manager Pavel Nedved, the head coach Miroslav Koubek, and within the management group, there is consensus on the selection of the fifty-four-member group of players."