PRAGUE (AP) — Lyon midfielder Pavel Šulc has recovered from a hamstring injury to be included in the Czech Republic squad for the final stage of World Cup qualifying.
Coach Miroslav Koubek acknowledged Šulc has yet to play for Lyon but said he was ready for the Europa Leagues game against Celta Vigo on Thursday.
“The situation (with Šulc) looks promising,” Koubek said after naming his 25-man squad on Tuesday.
If Šulc was not available, one of the options for Koubek was attacking midfielder Pavel Bucha of Cincinnati FC in Major League Soccer who was yet to play for the national team.
Former captain Vladimír Darida agreed to come out of international retirement to help the team try and qualify for the World Cup.
The 35-year-old Darida retired from internationals in 2021 after the Czechs were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick was in the squad but another Czech in the Bundesliga, attacking midfielder Adam Hložek of Hoffenheim, was not not fit.
The Czechs are in the World Cup playoffs after finishing runner-up in their qualifying group behind Croatia. They meet Ireland in a single elimination game on March 26 in Prague. The winner then hosts Denmark or North Macedonia for a spot in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The team that makes the tournament will join Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.
The Czechs last qualified for the World Cup in 2006.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, is a fas… Read moreAragon High School Theatre presents "Puffs"
Join us for this fun community gathering. There will be a resource fair, music and a raffle.… Read moreBelmont Senior Showcase
Art Without An Artist: Can AI Be Considered An Artist? Read moreART WITHOUT AN ARTIST: Can AI be Considered an Artist?
Ready to dive into the world of Accessory Dwelling Units? Join us in person for a casual, in… Read moreBuild Your ADU Seminar: From Permits to Keys
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
Planning your dream wedding? Discover everything you need at the Wedding Fair in the Park – … Read moreWedding Fair in the Park
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.