Koubek’s Czech Republic Squad: Čvančara Snubbed, New Captain Named | Euro 2026 Qualifier

Miroslav Koubek wasted no time making his mark as the new national team coach, leaving out both Václav Černý and Tomáš Čvančara from his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying playoff matches.

The Czech Republic will face Ireland on March 26th in Prague, followed by a match against either Denmark or North Macedonia on March 31st. Koubek explained his decision regarding Čvančara, stating, “He expressed that the national team isn’t a priority for him, so as a coach, I don’t prioritize taking players who feel that way.”

Čvančara recently discussed his focus on club commitments with Celtic in a podcast interview, a statement Koubek clearly took note of. The omission sparked a swift response from Čvančara’s agent, David Nehoda, who called Koubek’s reasoning “completely misleading and taken out of context” on social media. Nehoda further stated that no one from the national team had contacted Čvančara regarding his situation, and questioned why the coach would rely on media reports instead.

Koubek too addressed the absence of Václav Černý, stating, “We considered what type of game we’re facing and what mentality we’ll need. Václav is undoubtedly a decent player, but we decided to give preference to other players, or rather, a different typology of players.”

Regarding the status of Pavel Šulc, Koubek confirmed they are in contact and his recovery is progressing well. A decision on his availability will be made this week, taking into account his potential playing time with Lyon against Celta Vigo and Monaco. “Even if Pavel doesn’t play, we wish him here if his club releases him,” Koubek added.

The coach also highlighted the inclusion of Pavel Bucha and Denis Višinský as potential replacements for Šulc. He praised Bucha’s creativity and stability with Cincinnati, noting his experience in a challenging league. “We’ve been following him, and he’s a stable player for Cincinnati. We often lament the lack of creative players, and he’s one of them,” Koubek said. He also noted that Višinský and Tomáš Ladra have been consistently performing well for Plzeň.

Koubek also confirmed a new team captain has been selected, but will announce the decision to the squad first. He indicated the choice wasn’t a team vote, but a decision made by the coaching staff and will be for the long term, stating, “I don’t see the point in changing captains like socks.”

Jan Kliment’s inclusion in the squad was also discussed, with Koubek explaining that despite limited playing time with Olomouc, the club is strategically managing his return from a long-term injury. Kliment has featured in three European matches and appears to be regaining his form.

“We’re trying to create absolute motivation, determination, and passion within the team,” Koubek concluded. “This isn’t a matter of just two training camps, it needs to be a constant. We’ve already had some consultations and been in contact with the players, either in person or by phone, and we’re trying to inspire them to ignite that fire.”