World European Preliminaries-Czech Republic VS Croatia: Whether the Czech Republic can return to the World Cup, this battle is a life and death battle

In the 2026 World Cup, the size of the main draw will be expanded from 32 teams to 48 teams. However, difficulties still exist for some established strong teams in Europe that have difficulty qualifying for the main draw.

Compared with the last World Cup, the number of seats in the European main draw has increased from 13 to 16, which is an increase of 3 places.

In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Europe, 55 teams are divided into 10 groups. The top 10 teams will advance directly, and the other 3 places will be played in the play-offs.

In the European zone of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, 54 teams (one less Russia) are divided into 12 groups. The top 12 teams will directly advance, and the other 4 places will be played in the play-offs.

Whether Italy, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, which missed the last World Cup, as well as Norway, which has missed the World Cup for a long time since 1998, can break through the group stage depends on luck. If they cannot win the first place in the group, the outcome of the play-offs is unknown.

The Czech Republic, which was eliminated by Sweden in the semi-finals of the European play-offs in the last World Cup qualifiers, may have to continue participating in the play-offs this time, and it is unknown whether they can return to the World Cup.

Czech Republic VS Croatia

Nature of the match: Round 7 of Group L of the World Cup Qualifiers European Group Stage

Match time: October 10, 2:45

In the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers European Group Stage, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar are in Group L. Obviously, the two "big fish" in the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar are accompanying the prince to study. Croatia and the Czech Republic will compete for the first place in the group, and Montenegro may disrupt the situation.

Croatia currently leads the Group L standings with 1 round of less games. It has 12 points with 4 consecutive wins in the beginning. The Czech Republic has 12 points with 4 wins and 1 loss from 5 games. It is ranked second due to the goal difference disadvantage. The third Faroe Islands and the fourth Montenegro both have 5 games, 2 wins and 3 losses with 6 points. Gibraltar has 5 consecutive losses and 0 points.

During the Czechoslovak era, the Czechoslovak national football team was a well-deserved world-class team. It was the runner-up in the World Cup in 1934 and 1962, and won the 1976 European Cup. In the Czech era, in the 1996 European Cup, they reached the final against Germany, the favorite to win the championship. They scored first, but were tied with a header by Bierhoff who came on the bench. Then Bierhoff scored the winning goal in overtime and finished second.

Since then, Czech football has lost its glory. After 2006, he missed the World Cup.

In the former Yugoslavia era, they were also the world's top football power, fourth in the World Cup in 1930 and 1962, and runners-up in the European Cup in 1960 and 1968. After the disintegration, Croatia had the best results in the competition among the former Yugoslavia teams, finishing third in the 1998 World Cup and second in the 2018 World Cup.

This battle is very crucial for the Czech Republic. If they win, they will beat Croatia to the top of the Group L standings in one more round and have a chance to compete for first place in the group; otherwise, they may not be able to compete with Croatia.

The Czech Republic has 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the past 10 games in all competitions. The only loss was a 1:5 away defeat to Croatia in the European Group Stage of the World Cup Qualifiers. Therefore, this battle is also a battle of revenge for the Czech Republic!

Croatia has 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in the past 10 games in all competitions, and currently maintains a complete victory in the World Cup preliminaries.

In the previous 4 encounters between the two sides, the Czech Republic had 2 draws and 2 losses and was at a disadvantage.

Although this game is an away game, the lineup is stronger and Croatia, which has been in excellent form recently, is still worth looking forward to.