Czechia vs. Croatia: World Cup Qualifying Preview
A crucial World Cup 2026 qualifying match is set to take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, as Czechia hosts Croatia at the Fortuna Arena in Prague-Vršovice. The Group L match is poised to be a pivotal contest, with both teams currently level on points. The winner will secure the top spot in the group, significantly increasing their chances of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What to Know
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Time: 19:45 BST (14:45 EDT, 11:45 PDT)
- Location: Fortuna Arena, Prague-Vršovice, Czechia
- How to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (likely)
The Stakes
Both Czechia and Croatia have accumulated 12 points in Group L, making this match a direct battle for supremacy. Croatia currently leads the group due to a superior goal difference, amplified by their commanding 5-1 victory over Czechia in their previous encounter in June. Czechia will be aiming to avenge that defeat and capitalize on their home advantage.
Czechia's Form
Czechia has demonstrated strong form, remaining undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches across all competitions. However, their sole defeat during this period was the heavy loss against Croatia. At home, Czechia has been resilient, remaining unbeaten in six straight matches since Euro 2024. Their solid defense at home, having conceded just six goals in five matches since September 2022, will be crucial in containing Croatia's attack.
Croatia's Dominance
Croatia has been in near-flawless form since their exit from the UEFA Nations League. They have won all four of their qualifiers, scoring 17 goals while conceding only twice. Their winning streak extends to six matches in all competitions. Croatia's experience and midfield control give them an edge. Croatia is currently ranked #10 by FIFA.
Team News
- Czechia: Tomáš Souček is set to captain Czechia. Patrik Schick will miss the match due to a hamstring injury. Goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros and Jindrich Stanek are out with injuries, paving the way for Matej Kovar to start.
- Croatia: Croatia's squad is headlined by Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, and Mateo Kovačić. Josip Stanišić is out injured.
Predicted Lineups
- Czech Republic (4-2-3-1): Kovar; Coufal, Krejci, Jemelka, Zeleny; Soucek, Cerv; Kusej, Sulc, Provod; Chory.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Bookmakers favor Croatia to win.
- Odds: Czech Republic (2/1), Draw (23/10), Croatia (7/5)
- Score Prediction: Czech Republic 1-2 Croatia
- Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals @ +105
Key Players to Watch
- Czech Republic: Tomáš Chorý, who scored against Saudi Arabia, is likely to lead the attack.
- Croatia: Andrej Kramarić has been in excellent form, scoring six goals in the World Cup qualifiers.
Head-to-Head
Croatia is unbeaten in their five previous meetings with Czechia. In those five matches, Croatia has scored 13 goals to Czechia's 7.
Match Overview
The Czech Republic faces a tough challenge against a strong Croatian side. Croatia's attacking quality and midfield experience may give them the edge. However, Czechia's home form and the desire to avenge their previous defeat could lead to a tightly contested match.
