Czechia qualified for their first FIFA World Cup since 2006 after defeating Denmark in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in their winner-take-all playoff in Prague.
Czechia secured a historic return to the global stage by outlasting Denmark on penalties after a tense 2-2 draw.
Pavel Sulc opened the scoring early, but Denmark’s Joachim Andersen equalized in the 72nd minute.
After Ladislav Krejčí restored the Czech lead in extra time, Kasper Høgh forced a shootout with a 111th-minute header. The Czechs clinical finishing proved decisive, converting three penalties to Denmark’s one.
This victory marks Czechia’s tenth World Cup appearance and their first since 2006.
The nation, which previously finished as runners-up in 1934 and 1962 as Czechoslovakia, now moves into Group A.
They are scheduled to face South Korea in Mexico on June 11, followed by fixtures against South Africa in Atlanta and a high-profile clash against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca.