Czech footballers gather ahead of World Cup playoff semis

The Czech national soccer squad have gathered in Prague ahead of a game against Sweden for a place in the finals of the playoffs for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. If the Czechs overcome the Swedes on Thursday they will face Poland the following Tuesday for a berth in the sport’s biggest international event.

The 23-man squad does not include striker Patrik Schick, who is injured. Coach Jaroslav Šilhavý has called up four uncapped players from the Czech league.