The Anthem
Kde domov můj
▶ Listen on YouTube ↗“Kde domov můj? / Where is my home?”
Began life as a song in a 19th-century comic opera before becoming a national anthem.
The Legends
Names that echo
Pavel Nedvěd
Midfielder · 1990s–2000s
The 'Czech Cannon'; 2003 Ballon d'Or winner.
Antonín Panenka
Midfielder · 1970s
Invented the cheeky chipped penalty that now bears his name — at the 1976 Euros final.
Petr Čech
Goalkeeper · 2000s–10s
Premier League and Champions League winner, famed for the helmet and the saves.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
As Czechoslovakia, the nation reached two World Cup finals (1934 and 1962) — its trophy lineage is split with Slovakia.
- 02
The 'Panenka' penalty — a slow chip down the middle — is named after a Czech who dared to try it in a major final.
- 03
Beer is practically a national institution: Czechs drink more beer per head than any country on earth.
At the World Cup
The story so far
Heir to Czechoslovakia's two World Cup final appearances, the modern Czech Republic / Czechia reached the 2006 finals and has long punched above its size in European football.
So close in Chile
Czechoslovakia reached the final, falling to a brilliant Brazil side inspired by Garrincha.
A final in the rain
Czechoslovakia led the 1934 final before hosts Italy turned it around in extra time.
Group Stage