Prague – Ladislav Krejčí, the 26-year-old defender currently on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers from Girona, has been named captain of the Czech Republic national team ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff matches. The appointment, announced today by the Czech Football Association, sees Krejčí take over the armband from Tomáš Souček, who remains a key player for the national side.
Krejčí previously captained Sparta Prague, leading them to league titles in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons before his move abroad. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to lead his country under new manager Miroslav Koubek. The Czech Republic faces Ireland in a semifinal playoff match this Thursday at Eden Arena in Prague. A victory would set up a final showdown against either Denmark or North Macedonia at Letná Stadium on March 31st, with a place at the World Cup on the line.
The decision regarding the captaincy followed an incident in November, after a 6-0 win against Gibraltar, where the team did not perform the traditional acknowledgement of their supporters in the “kotel” – the section reserved for the most passionate fans. Souček was officially relieved of the captaincy for one match as a result of the team’s conduct, a decision made by the Football Association of the Czech Republic.
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— Česká fotbalová reprezentace (@ceskarepre_cz) March 23, 2026
However, Koubek indicated last week that the change could be more permanent. “Is it going to be for a longer period? Probably yes. Changing the captain after one match like socks isn’t ideal. A longer period means more matches,” Koubek stated during a press conference announcing the squad.
Krejčí: “I Value This Greatly”
“I greatly value the captain’s armband; it’s a great honor and responsibility for me. I’m looking forward to what awaits us all,” Krejčí said during the evening’s Footballer of the Year awards ceremony, where he finished third in the voting. “At the same time, I regret the situation that led to this change. It wasn’t pleasant, but that’s how It’s. We know what’s ahead of us. I believe we will approach it as we should and fulfill our dream (to qualify for the World Cup).”
Krejčí expressed confidence that the captaincy wouldn’t weigh him down. “It depends on how you allow it to affect you. It’s still fresh, so I haven’t had much time to think about it. But I’ve approached everything the same way for many years, and I believe that will lead to success,” he added.
Krejčí emerged as a natural candidate for the captaincy. A product of the Zbrojovka Brno academy, he’s known for his leadership qualities. He demonstrated those qualities at Sparta Prague, guiding the club to back-to-back league titles before moving abroad. Former captain Vladimír Darida has returned to the squad after a nearly five-year absence, but will not be taking on the role of captain.
Krejčí joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan from Girona last summer and has quickly become a leader in a team currently at the bottom of the English Premier League. He earned his first cap for the Czech national team four years ago in a World Cup playoff and has since made 23 appearances, scoring three goals.
Wolverhampton’s struggles in the Premier League haven’t dampened Krejčí’s spirits. “The situation isn’t pleasant. At the first team meeting on Thursday, coach Koubek already wrote us off, saying we wouldn’t make it. But I like these situations. Mathematically, there’s still a chance [for survival]. We’ve hit a certain form, and I believe we’ll continue in it,” Krejčí stated.
The appointment of Krejčí as captain marks a new chapter for the Czech Republic national team as they navigate a challenging path to World Cup qualification. The team’s performance against Ireland will be a crucial test of their resolve and Krejčí’s leadership. For Czech football fans, the hope is that this change in leadership will inspire a renewed sense of purpose and ultimately lead to a place at the tournament.
The upcoming matches represent a significant opportunity for the Czech Republic to return to the global stage. The pressure will be immense, but with Krejčí at the helm, the team will look to draw on his experience and leadership to overcome the challenges ahead. The first step is Thursday’s match against Ireland at Eden Arena, a game that will undoubtedly capture the attention of football fans across the nation.
Next up for the Czech Republic is their World Cup playoff semifinal against Ireland on Thursday, March 26th, at Eden Arena in Prague. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45 PM CET (2:45 PM EDT). Fans can follow the match live on CT Sport and through updates on the Czech Football Association’s official social media channels.
