Prague, Czech Republic — West Ham United and Czech Republic captain Tomáš Souček has reaffirmed his commitment to leading his national team back to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in two decades, setting his sights firmly on the 2026 edition of the global tournament.
The Czech side currently sits atop Group L, having secured vital wins over the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar. However, the path to qualification remains challenging, with crucial fixtures against Montenegro and Croatia looming in the coming days.
Speaking to the official West Ham website, Souček reflected on the high stakes ahead and the personal significance of achieving World Cup qualification. He acknowledged Croatia’s strength in the group but insisted the Czech team remains confident and competitive.
“This is a huge week for us,” the midfielder stated. “We know Croatia are favourites, but we believe in our team and our chances.”
Souček, who has become a central figure for both club and country, emphasized how special a World Cup appearance would be — especially for a nation that has not featured at the tournament in 20 years.
“Unlike nations like England who qualify regularly, we’ve missed out for two decades,” he said. “This is not just a goal for the team, but a personal dream of mine as captain.”
He also pointed to the strong partnership he shares with fellow Czech and West Ham teammate Vladimír Coufal, expressing confidence in their continued impact on the international stage.
While acknowledging ambitions for the upcoming domestic season with West Ham, Souček made it clear that guiding the Czech Republic to the World Cup remains his top priority.
“I’ve played in two European Championships, which was great, but this—this would be historic for us,” he added.
With decisive matches approaching, all eyes will be on Souček and the Czech squad as they aim to end a 20-year wait and make their return to football’s grandest stage.
By Enoch Odesola | June 4, 2025
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