Croatia and Czech Republic Face Off in Crucial Euro 2026 Qualifier

ZAGREB, Croatia – Croatia will host the Czech Republic in a key UEFA Euro 2026 qualifier tonight. Both teams are fighting for a spot at the World Cup, and a defeat could jeopardize their chances.

The match comes after Croatia’s impressive 7-0 victory against Gibraltar in their opening qualifier. This victory marked the team’s largest win in nine years and has set the stage for a tough battle against the Czech Republic, who are also in the running for qualification.

Despite Croatia’s higher FIFA ranking and a strong history in international play, fans remain anxious due to the team’s inconsistency in qualifiers. Croatia has not triumphed over the Czech Republic in their last two encounters, with both matches ending in draws.

The Czech Republic enters the match on a hot streak, remaining unbeaten in their last nine matches, winning seven of them. Their recent 2-0 victory over Montenegro solidified their strong form and competitive spirit heading into this match.

Historically, Croatia has a solid home record, with only one loss in the past three years and an unbeaten run in their last ten home qualifier matches. The team has shown strength on home ground, defeating heavyweights like France and Portugal, which raises the stakes for the Czech Republic.

Fans are eager to see if the Czech Republic, who hope to end a 20-year World Cup absence, can walk away with a point or more. Their lineup features players from top clubs, including the Crystal Palace‘s Schick.

Kickoff is set for 20:45 local time, with predictions leaning towards a close game. Many expect Croatia to edge out a narrow 1-0 victory.