Czech Republic and Croatia meet in Prague in pivotal Group L clash

Czech Republic and Croatia meet at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Thursday evening in a pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifying match that will shape the outcome of UEFA Group L. The fixture, scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. local time, pits two teams level on 12 points but with Croatia having played one fewer match, making the result crucial for the group standings.

Both sides enter the game in strong form. Croatia have made a perfect start to qualifying, winning all four of their matches and sitting atop the group on goal difference. The visitors extended that run with a 4-0 home win over Montenegro in their most recent outing. The Czech Republic have accumulated 12 points from five matches, losing only once so far in qualification. They beat Montenegro 2-0 away in their most recent qualifying match and drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in a friendly during the most recent international window.

The teams last met in June, when Croatia recorded a 5-1 victory at Opus Arena in Osijek, a result that included a brace from Andrej Kramaric. That defeat is a recent marker that the Czech side will aim to reverse on home soil, where they have been unbeaten in competitive fixtures since a loss to...