Czechia begin their first League A campaign of the new Nations League cycle against Croatia at Fortuna Arena in Prague on September 26.
It is also the first competitive match for new Czechia coach Santi Denia. Croatia have made a managerial change of their own, with Slaven Bilić beginning his second spell in charge following Zlatko Dalić's departure after the World Cup.
Spain and England complete Group A3, making a positive start particularly valuable in one of the strongest groups in the competition.
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Czechia vs Croatia Match Details
Competition: 2026/27 UEFA Nations League
League: League A
Group: A3
Stage: Matchday 1
Date: September 26, 2026
Kick-off: 20:45 CEST
Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague
Czechia coach: Santi Denia
Croatia coach: Slaven Bilić
The top two teams in League A groups advance to the quarter-finals. Czechia will also face England three days after this match, while Croatia travel to Spain.
Czechia vs Croatia Head-to-Head Record
Croatia have never lost to Czechia at senior level. The teams have met six times, with Croatia recording three wins and the other three games ending in draws. Their previous six meetings were:
Czechia 0-0 Croatia – October 2025
Croatia 5-1 Czechia – June 2025
Croatia 1-1 Czechia – June 2021
Czechia 2-2 Croatia – June 2016
Croatia 4-2 Czechia – February 2011
Croatia 1-1 Czechia – December 1996
The two meetings in 2025 are the most relevant. Croatia dominated the first World Cup qualifier 5-1 in Osijek before Czechia produced a much better defensive performance in Prague and held them to a goalless draw.
Those results show that Czechia can make this fixture competitive, but they also underline the danger Croatia pose when allowed to control midfield and attack space.
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Czechia Recent Form
Czechia arrive after a disappointing World Cup. Their last five matches were:
Czechia 0-3 Mexico
Czechia 1-1 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Czechia 3-1 Guatemala
Czechia 2-1 Kosovo
Czechia qualified for their first World Cup since 2006 after beating Republic of Ireland and Denmark on penalties in the European play-offs. Their tournament itself was much less successful.
They collected only one point from three group matches and finished bottom of a section containing Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
That early elimination brought a coaching change, with Denia replacing Miroslav Koubek. For me, the Nations League now represents the start of a wider rebuild rather than simply another competition.
Croatia Recent Form
Croatia performed better at the World Cup but still exited earlier than they had in the previous two editions. Their last five matches were:
Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Croatia 2-1 Ghana
Panama 0-1 Croatia
England 4-2 Croatia
Croatia 2-1 Slovenia
Croatia recovered from their opening defeat to England by beating Panama and Ghana to qualify from the group. Portugal then eliminated them 2-1 in the Round of 32.
That was a clear step backwards from Croatia's run to the 2018 final and third-place finish in 2022, and it ultimately led to a managerial change.
Bilić now begins his second spell with many familiar senior players still available but also with younger players gradually taking larger roles.
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Czechia Team News
Denia has named 26 players for his first Czechia squad. Lukáš Ambros, Roman Macek and Matěj Radosta have received their first senior call-ups, while 15 members of the World Cup squad remain involved. There are also two important absences.
Patrik Schick is not part of the squad after ending his international career following the World Cup. The striker scored 26 goals in 56 appearances and had been Czechia's main attacking reference for several years.
Tomáš Souček is unavailable because of injury. His absence removes experience, physical presence and an important aerial threat from midfield. Pavel Šulc and Adam Hložek are among the main attacking options, while Ladislav Krejčí, Lukáš Provod and Alex Král provide experience elsewhere in the team.
For Denia, the challenge is significant: he must introduce a new playing style while replacing two of Czechia's most influential recent players.
Croatia Team News
Bilić has selected a squad containing both Croatia's established core and several younger options. Luka Modrić has decided to continue his international career and remains available at 41. Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Joško Gvardiol, Josip Stanišić and Dominik Livaković are also included.
There is younger quality around them. Luka Vušković, Martin Baturina, Luka Sučić, Petar Sučić and Franjo Ivanović are among the players who can help Croatia gradually move into a new generation.
That balance is important. Croatia does not need to replace their experienced players immediately, but Bilić must ensure the team does not become too dependent on the same core that has carried the national side for many years.
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Key Players
Pavel Šulc
With Schick no longer available, Šulc could become increasingly important to Czechia's attack. His movement between midfield and the forward line gives Czechia a player who can arrive in scoring positions rather than waiting for service as a traditional striker.
Ladislav Krejčí
Krejčí brings aggression, aerial strength and leadership. His ability to defend the penalty area will be important against Croatia, but Czechia will also rely on him during attacking set pieces.
Luka Modrić
Modrić remains central to how Croatia manage matches. His role may gradually change as younger midfielders receive more responsibility, but his passing and ability to control tempo remain valuable, particularly in away matches where Croatia may need patience.
Joško Gvardiol
Gvardiol gives Croatia pace, strength and quality in possession from defence. His ability to step forward with the ball can help Croatia bypass Czechia's first line of pressure and create an extra player in midfield.
Tactical Battle
The midfield battle should be central to this game. Croatia have traditionally been comfortable controlling possession through Modrić and Kovačić, while players such as the Sučić brothers and Baturina give Bilić younger technical options.
Czechia must find a way to disrupt that control without Souček. Denia is expected to introduce a more possession-oriented approach, but this will be his first match and the squad has had limited time to learn his ideas.
That may encourage Czechia to keep things relatively simple: remain compact, compete physically and attack quickly when Croatia lose possession.
Croatia will probably be more comfortable with the ball. Their challenge will be turning possession into chances rather than allowing Czechia to settle into a deep defensive structure.
Where the Match Could Be Decided
Czechia coping without Schick
Schick gave Czechia a reliable target and goal threat. Without him, their attack may become more mobile, but someone still needs to occupy Croatia's centre-backs and provide a consistent threat inside the penalty area. Hložek and Šulc could become particularly important.
Croatia's midfield control
Czechia cannot allow Croatia to dictate the game comfortably. If Modrić, Kovačić and the younger midfielders receive too much time, Croatia can gradually move Czechia deeper and create openings around the penalty area.
Set Pieces
Czechia's physical strength makes set pieces an obvious opportunity. Krejčí and their other defenders can create problems in the air, particularly in a match where open-play chances may be limited. Croatia therefore need to avoid unnecessary fouls and corners.
What the H2H Record Tells Me
Croatia's unbeaten record deserves attention, especially because they faced Czechia twice as recently as 2025. The 5-1 victory showed what Croatia can do when they dominate midfield and find space between Czechia's defensive lines.
The 0-0 return game showed the other side of the matchup. Czechia defended much better, reduced the available space and prevented Croatia from turning possession into goals. That makes the tactical lesson relatively clear. Czechia need organisation and discipline. Croatia need movement and patience.
Final View
This is a difficult opening assignment for both new coaches. Czechia have home advantage, but Denia begins without Schick and Souček and is trying to reshape a team after a poor World Cup.
Croatia have greater continuity within the squad despite changing coach. Modrić, Kovačić, Perišić, Kramarić and Gvardiol provide experience, while Bilić also has enough younger talent to begin refreshing the team.
For me, Czechia's biggest challenge will be preventing Croatia from controlling midfield for long periods. If the hosts can make the match physical, defend compactly and use set pieces effectively, they can make life difficult for Croatia just as they did in the 0-0 draw in Prague last year.
If Croatia establish comfortable possession and move the ball quickly around Czechia's defensive block, their technical advantage could become decisive. With Spain and England also in Group A3, neither side has an easy schedule ahead. That makes taking points from this opening fixture particularly valuable.