Miroslav Koubek appointed Czech Republic coach for 2.5 years, aiming for 2026 World Cup qualification

The Czech Football Association (FA) has appointed Miroslav Koubek as the national team coach for the next two and a half years, giving him time to prepare for the 2026 World Cup play-offs in March.

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The 74-year-old Koubek replaces Ivan Hasek, who was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in October.

The Czech Republic finished second in Group L, six points behind Croatia, securing a play-off spot against Ireland on March 26 in Prague.

“We will do everything to clinch a World Cup spot,” Koubek told reporters. “This is my task and I have to cope with it. I call it heads or tails… but I’m optimistic and believe that we’ll make it.”

If successful against Ireland, the Czechs will face either Denmark or North Macedonia in the play-off decider on March 31.

The winner of that fixture will join co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea in Group A of the World Cup in June and July 2026.

Koubek, a former goalkeeper, has mostly coached Czech top-flight clubs.

His last stint with Viktoria Plzen ended in September after a series of disappointing results, despite leading the club to the Conference League quarter-finals in 2024 and the Europa League last-16 this year.

Pavel Nedved, the national team’s general manager, said Koubek was his preferred choice. “He was really successful in European cups in the past two years,” Nedved stated. “I have a very clear idea about the national team coach and Koubek meets all criteria.”

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Since the Czech Republic became independent in 1993, the team has competed at every European Championship but has qualified for only one World Cup, in 2006, exiting at the group stage.