Petr Čech evaluates the failure of the Czech national team at the 2026 World Cup

Petr Čech, former goalkeeper and technical director of Chelsea, evaluates the failure of the Czech national team at the 2026 World Cup. According to him, the main problems are the coaching staff and support of a healthy lifestyle.

"In clubs, coaches are often promoted solely based on results. When a coach trains 12-year-old children to become great players, but his team doesn't win every game and he's criticized for it, he'll set up a strategy for a win and won't train anyone to avoid jeopardizing his career progression," says Čech.

The coaching staff is according to Čech also the main reason for the failure of the Czech national team. "Today we have the least hours of physical education in Europe. The most common topics of articles about youth are obesity and physical unpreparedness. Schools also lack qualified physical education teachers," adds Čech.

What are the main problems of Czech football?

Petr Čech identifies several main problems of Czech football. "In clubs, coaches are often promoted solely based on results. When a coach trains 12-year-old children to become great players, but his team doesn't win every game and he's criticized for it, he'll set up a strategy for a win and won't train anyone to avoid jeopardizing his career progression," says Čech.

The coaching staff is according to Čech also the main reason for the failure of the Czech national team. "Today we have the least hours of physical education in Europe. The most common topics of articles about youth are obesity and physical unpreparedness. Schools also lack qualified physical education teachers," adds Čech.

What's next?

Petr Čech suggests several solutions to the problems of Czech football. "We need to change the coaching staff and support a healthy lifestyle among youth," says Čech. "We also need to invest in the education of physical education teachers and support physical education in schools," adds.

Current state of the Czech national team

The Czech national team is currently in 4th place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 table with 1 point from 3 games. The last game against Mexico ended in a 0:3 loss. The next game against Croatia will take place at home on September 26, 2026.