West Ham United stalwarts Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal have been included in the Czech Republic’s squad for two FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying ties to be played during the March international break.
National-team captain and midfield talisman Souček and buccaneering right-back Coufal have both been regular members of the Czech men’s set-up in recent seasons, and that trend will continue when they take on the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar later this month in UEFA Group L.
Ivan Hašek’s men will be aiming to make a winning start to their qualifying campaign and ultimately earn a spot at the World Cup finals, set to be held in Canada, Mexico and the USA next year, for the first time since 2006.
The Czech Republic will first welcome the Faroe Island to the Malšovická Arena - home to FC Hradec Králové - on Saturday 22 March, before travelling to Estádio Algarve in Portugal to take on Gibraltar on Tuesday 25 March. Both matches will kick-off at 7.45pm GMT.
While Souček will be hoping to add to his impressive record of 14 goals in 77 appearances for his country back on the international stage, Coufal - who has scored once in 51 Czech Republic games - will be looking to earn valuable gametime after missing the Hammers’ last four Premier League fixtures through injury.
Elsewhere, defender Nayef Aguerd - who has made 34 appearances in all competitions on loan at Spanish top-flight side Real Sociedad this season - has been named in Walid Regragui’s Morocco squad.
The Atlas Lions are set to contest two World Qualifiers in March, in CAF Group E, first facing Niger at 9.30pm GMT on Friday 21 March, before hosting Tanzania at 9.30pm GMT on Tuesday 25 March.
