Poor tactics, tired players and deeper flaws: why Czechia failed at the World Cup

The Czech national team's World Cup campaign ended with an early group-stage exit, leaving supporters frustrated and demanding answers. Karel Häring, chief football commentator of Canal + Sport,  believes the disappointing performances cannot be blamed on the head coach or the players alone. Instead, he says the tournament exposed long-standing structural weaknesses in Czech football.

Karel Häring|Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

The Czech national team's return to the FIFA World Cup after a twenty-year absence ended in disappointment. After three uninspiring group-stage performances, the team was eliminated without ever convincing that it could compete with stronger opponents. According to football journalist Karel Häring, the outcome was fully deserved—and should trigger a much broader debate about the state of Czech football.

"The defeat was deserved," Häring says. "Perhaps the goal difference was a little harsh because the first half wasn't as bad as the second, but the elimination itself was absolutely deserved. The performances simply were not at the level that should be required."

Photo: Andrey Heuler, Diaesportivo / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Conservative football that simply didn't work

One of the main questions following the tournament concerns the future of head coach Miroslav Koubek, who has indicated that he intends to fulfil his contract rather than resign. Häring believes criticism of the coach is justified, although he cautions against making him the sole scapegoat.

Miroslav Koubek|Photo: Andrey Heuler, Diaesportivo / Zuma Press / Profimedia

"He's the head coach, so naturally he bears responsibility," Häring says. "But he certainly isn't the only person responsible." For years, Czech football has relied on disciplined defending, collective organisation and effectiveness from set pieces. That formula has occasionally produced success against technically stronger opponents. This time, however, even those traditional strengths failed to appear.

"The Czech team has usually built its success on tactical discipline, defensive work, team unity and set pieces," Häring explains. "But apart from the set pieces, almost nothing worked during this tournament."

He also criticises several of the coach's decisions during the tournament, arguing that tactical adjustments and changes to the starting line-up consistently failed to improve the team's performances. "The changes in the starting eleven didn't work. It looked as though almost everything went wrong."

Problems extended well beyond the pitch

Häring argues that focusing solely on tactics would overlook other important issues that may have contributed to the disappointing campaign. Among the biggest concerns, he says, was the team's apparent lack of energy. Players often looked physically exhausted, and reports emerged during the tournament suggesting that some members of the squad felt overtrained.

Adam Hložek|Photo: Alfredo Estrella, AFP / Profimedia

"One of the biggest talking points is why the team lacked energy and emotion," he says. "Those are basic things you need if you want to succeed." Häring also questions whether the Football Association prepared the squad properly for the unique conditions in North America. The Czech team played two matches at altitude in Mexico despite having completed much of its preparation elsewhere. "We knew the conditions in Mexico and the United States would be specific," he says. "I don't think the team was properly prepared for those conditions."

He even raises the possibility that financial considerations may have influenced preparations, wondering whether cheaper logistical solutions compromised the team's readiness.

A disappointing tournament—but not an unexpected one

Perhaps Häring's strongest conclusion is that the failure should not be viewed as a major shock. In his opinion, Czechia had already exceeded expectations simply by qualifying. The team secured its place at the World Cup through two drawn play-off matches, four goals from set pieces and two successful penalty shoot-outs—a remarkable achievement, but one that also highlighted its limitations. "We were very lucky even in the play-offs," Häring says. "It was a great achievement to qualify after twenty years, but it also confirmed our limits."

Andrey Heuler, Diaesportivo / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Those limits, he argues, are both technical and tactical. Czech football remains cautious in its approach, often preferring to defend deep and wait for opportunities from dead-ball situations rather than dictate games. "We usually play very cautious football," Häring says. "We're waiting for opportunities from set pieces or counter-attacks instead of taking the initiative." So, for Häring, the disappointing World Cup is therefore less an isolated failure than a reflection of broader issues that have accumulated over many years.