Ladislav Krejci did what captains are supposed to do. He scored on his World Cup debut, leading the Czech Republic back onto football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2006.
The long road back
Czechia’s path to the 2026 World Cup was anything but straightforward. The team had to grind through qualification play-offs, first overcoming the Republic of Ireland before facing Denmark in a tense final.
That Denmark match went to extra time, where Krejci himself netted a crucial goal. It eventually took a penalty shootout to settle things. The Czechs held their nerve, securing their spot in the tournament during those April 2026 play-off finals.
Who is Ladislav Krejci
