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— CH. 1 · THE FIRST FRIENDLY MATCH —

Czech Republic national football team

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections

  • On the 23rd of February 1994, a new national team stepped onto the pitch in Turkey. This was the Czech Republic's first international match following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The squad played against the Turkish national team away from home. It marked the beginning of a distinct footballing identity separate from their former state. Before this date, players had represented Bohemia or Czechoslovakia on the global stage. Now they needed to build something entirely new under the Football Association of the Czech Republic.

  • The Czechs reached the UEFA Euro 1996 Final at Wembley Stadium in England. They lost the match 2, 1 to Germany after progressing through the group stage despite an opening defeat. This result established them as a serious contender immediately after splitting from Slovakia. The team finished as runners-up in their very first major tournament. Fans in Prague celebrated a historic achievement that would define the early years of the republic. No other nation had achieved such success so quickly after becoming independent.

  • A specific group of players formed the core during the early 2000s. Names like Pavel Nedvěd and Jan Koller became synonymous with Czech football excellence. Tomáš Rosický and Petr Čech joined them to create an unbeaten streak spanning 2002 and 2003. That run included 53 goals scored across just 19 games. The squad qualified for Euro 2004 and reached the semi-finals against Greece. A silver goal decided the match in extra time, eliminating the Czechs from contention. Their performance remains the highest finish in European Championship history for the nation.

  • The team qualified for only one FIFA World Cup since independence. That single appearance occurred at the 2006 tournament held in Germany. They failed to reach subsequent tournaments throughout the 2010s despite strong qualifying campaigns. In 2010, manager Petr Rada was dismissed after a loss to Poland. Ivan Hašek took temporary charge but could not secure qualification. The squad finished third in their group behind Slovakia and Poland. This pattern of near-misses contrasted sharply with their consistent presence in European Championships.

  • Forty-eight matches were played at Stadion Letná between 1995 and 2024. This venue served as the primary home ground during the early years of the republic. It is the stadium of Sparta Prague and was renovated in 1994. More recently, major fixtures shifted to Stadion Eden in Prague which opened in 2008. Other cities like Teplice and Ostrava also hosted games regularly. By 2025, competitive matches had been held across sixteen different cities nationwide. The rotation reflects both logistical needs and the desire to connect with fans outside the capital.

  • Petr Čech holds the record for most appearances with 124 caps between 1994 and 2006. Jan Koller leads all-time goalscorers with 55 goals scored from 1999 to 2009. Tomáš Rosický earned 105 caps while scoring 23 goals over his career. These players defined the statistical landscape of Czech international football. Their numbers remain unmatched by any subsequent generation. The records stand as a testament to their longevity and impact on the national side.

Up Next

Czechoslovakia national football team

Common questions

When did the Czech Republic national football team play their first international match after independence?

The Czech Republic national football team played their first international match on the 23rd of February 1994 against Turkey in Turkey. This event marked the beginning of a distinct footballing identity separate from Czechoslovakia following its dissolution.

What was the highest achievement of the Czech Republic national football team in European Championship history?

The Czech Republic national football team reached the semi-finals of Euro 2004 where they were eliminated by Greece via a silver goal. Their performance remains the highest finish in European Championship history for the nation.

Which stadium served as the primary home ground for the Czech Republic national football team between 1995 and 2024?

Forty-eight matches were played at Stadion Letná between 1995 and 2024 serving as the primary home ground during the early years of the republic. The venue is the stadium of Sparta Prague and was renovated in 1994 before major fixtures shifted to Stadion Eden in 2008.

Who holds the record for most appearances and goals for the Czech Republic national football team?

Petr Čech holds the record for most appearances with 124 caps between 1994 and 2006 while Jan Koller leads all-time goalscorers with 55 goals scored from 1999 to 2009. Tomáš Rosický earned 105 caps and scored 23 goals over his career contributing to these unmatched statistics.

See all questions about Czech Republic national football team →

All sources

54 references cited across the entry

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  4. 4webUEFA EURO 2020 contenders in focus: Czech Republic2021-02-22
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  9. 9newsBerger absence may be crucialAndrew Warshaw — 9 June 2000
  10. 10newsCzechs counting on Nedved's ankleBBC Sport — 8 June 2000
  11. 11newsRepublic Czech outBBC Sport — 22 June 2000
  12. 12newsBelgium enter record booksJames Standley — 15 November 2001
  13. 13newsČeskou sérii bez prohry ukončili Irové31 March 2004
  14. 14newsCzechs survive scare to win16 June 2004
  15. 15newsGermany 1–2 Czech Rep23 June 2004
  16. 16newsGreece 1–0 Czech Rep1 July 2004
  17. 17newsZápas s Andorrou měnil rekordní tabulky5 June 2005
  18. 18newsCzech Republic 1–0 Norway16 November 2005
  19. 19newsPotvrzeno: V kádru pro baráž je i Nedvěd2 November 2005
  20. 20newsCzech Republic 0–2 GhanaESPN — 17 June 2006
  21. 21newsCzech Republic 0–2 ItalyBBC Sport — 22 June 2006
  22. 22webV reprezentaci zřejmě skončím, říká Lokvenc5 September 2006
  23. 23newsTurkey 3–2 Czech Republic & Switzerland 2–0 PortugalMandeep Sanghera — BBC Sport — 15 June 2008
  24. 24newsTrenér Rada u reprezentace skončil, výkonný výbor vyřadil i šest hráčůJaromír Novák et al. — 8 April 2009
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  28. 28newsCzechs Beat Montenegro 1-016 November 2011
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  30. 30webEuro 2012 highlights: Czech Republic 1–0 Poland16 June 2012
  31. 31webCzech Republic, Greece First to Reach Euro 2012 QuarterfinalsBob Bensch — 16 June 2012
  32. 32webCzech coach Bilek quits after Italy loss – World Cup 2014 – FootballEurosport — 11 September 2013
  33. 33webMísto Bílka bude reprezentaci dočasně trénovat Pešice. Nebude to sranda, míní Cipro13 September 2013
  34. 34webVrba to become national soccer coach after huge success with Plzeň19 November 2013
  35. 35webNetherlands make Group A tough option – UEFA EURO – News23 February 2014
  36. 36newsSocceroos v Czech Republic: Australia in warm-up clash ahead of FIFA World Cup as it happenedJames Maasdrop — 1 June 2018
  37. 37webHistory: England-Czechia
  38. 38webLigue des nations : la Hongrie, le pays de Galles et la République tchèque promus en Ligue A18 November 2020
  39. 39webEuro: De Ligt "se sent responsable" de l'élimination des Pays-BasAlexandre Jaquin — 27 June 2021
  40. 40webLe but contestable du Danois Delaney contre les Tchèques à l'Euro en vidéo3 July 2021
  41. 41newsSweden overcome the Czech Republic in extra time to progress24 March 2022
  42. 42newsL'ancien sélectionneur de la République tchèque Jaroslav Silhavy a démissionné à cause de « l'agressivité » ambiante.21 November 2023
  43. 43newsSESTŘIH: Češi prohráli bláznivý zápas s Tureckem a na Euru končíJan Malý — Borgis — 26 June 2024
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  48. 48webJak reprezentace kočuje po republice. Na řadu přišel nejčistší stadion28 March 2011
  49. 49webNárodní tým čekají klíčové zápasy baráže v Edenu a na Letné2025-12-19
  50. 50webFull Time Report KO Play-offs – Czechia v DenmarkUEFA — 31 March 2026
  51. 51webČeská reprezentace zveřejnila předběžnou nominaci na MSFootball Association of the Czech Republic — May 12, 2026
  52. 52webČesko A - Historické statistiky - Nejvíce startůFootball Association of the Czech Republic
  53. 53webWorld Football Elo Ratings
  54. 54webInterallied Games 1919