Czech Republic will be looking to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages when they face co-hosts Mexico on Thursday at 2am (UK time).
Mexico have already guaranteed top spot in Group A, after a perfect start to tournament. The co-hosts opened the World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, before securing their place in the knockout stages by before South Korea 1-0. Due to the head-to-head ruling, Mexico cannot be caught at the top of the group.
Czech Republic hope for a rotated Mexico side to bolster their chances of making the knockout stages. The European nation have taken just one point from their opening two games, sitting third in the group. They lost to South Korea in their opening game, before drawing with South Africa last time out. Czech Republic need to win to have a chance of making the knockout stages — either as a third-placed team or group runners-up. But they’ll need South Africa to beat South Korea in the other game, while beating Mexico by a better scoreline if the latter is to happen.
This will be just the second meeting because these two sides, with Czech Republic winning the only previous game in 2000.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Czech Republic vs Mexico team news
Czech Republic team news
Miroslav Koubek made a few changes for Czech Republic’s draw with South Africa, and it worked to their advantage. Although they did eventually concede an equaliser — and there were questions about the tactics after taking the lead — the team looked like Czech Republic’s best one. So he may opt to name the same starting XI with a win a necessity.
One of the key changes came in the attack, with Adam Hlozek joining Patrik Schick in a two-man strike partnership. They worked well in tandem, particularly with Vladimir Darida playing behind them in the No.10. The other big change came at wing-back. Alexandr Sojka started on the left, ahead of Jaroslav Zeleny and thrived in the role. He should continue here, with Vladimir Coufal on the right.
Tomas Soucek dropped down to the bench for Michal Sadilek, who scored Czech Republic’s goal, and should keep his space. Tomas Holes should also continue ahead of Stepan Chaloupek as part of the back three, alongside Ladislav Krejci and Robin Hranac.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Mexico team news
All eyes will be on Mexico’s starting lineup here. Czech Republic fans will be hoping for rotation, and some of Mexico’s fringe players will also be hoping for a chance to start. Cesar Montes is available after his red card in the first game and may get the start in the defence. He may be joined by Edson Alvarez, with Johan Vasquez getting a rest. Fans may also get what they want with a start of World Cup cult hero Guillermo Ochoa in goal.
Israel Reyes could get his starting spot back from Jorge Sanchez at right-back, while Mateo Chavez may get a start on the left to rest Jesus Gallardo. There could be a handful of changes in the midfield. Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at the World Cup and will be hoping to start, alongside Luis Chavez and Luis Romo in midfield.
Santiago Gimenez will hope to lead the line, giving Raul Jimenez a rest. Cesar Huerta and Alexis Vega could flank him, with the former likely to get the nod on the left. But Javier Aguirre will still want to get some minutes for his regular starters, to keep momentum going ahead of the knockout stages.
Czech Republic vs Mexico predicted lineups
Czech Republic (3-4-1-2): Kovar; Holes, Krejci, Hranac; Coufal, Cerv, Sadilek, Sojka; Darida; Schick, Hlozek.
Mexico (4-3-3): Ochoa; Reyes, Montes, Alvarez, M Chavez; Mora, Romo, L Chavez; Vega, Gimenez, Huerta.
Read more: