Czech Republic have never beaten Croatia in five attempts. Most notably, the pair drew 2-2 in Saint-Étienne during Euro 2016 with the Czechs coming from 2-0 down to earn a draw at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Czechia vs Croatia preview
These two are the clear front-runners to secure World Cup qualification in Group L, so who will take a gigantic step towards North America next summer with a win in Prague? In the reverse fixture in Osijek in June, Croatia ran out 5-1 winners, scoring four times in the final half hour, Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramarić all on target, but will this one go the same way?
Well, thanks in part to that resounding victory in the summer, Zlatko Dalić's team are in pole position to top this section, having won four out of four so far. Last month, Croatia battled to a 1-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in Tórsvøllur, before demolishing neighbours Montenegro 4-0 at Stadion Maksimir. The Checkered Ones have therefore won 23 of their last 33 qualifiers, losing only four since 2017.
As a result, Croatia have featured at six of seven World Cups since they gained independence from Yugoslavia, 2010 the only one they've missed, reaching the final in Russia and the semi-finals in Qatar. Here, a victory at the Fortuna Arena would leave them on the cusp of reaching next year's edition.
As for Czech Republic, they also have 12 points to their name, albeit having played a game more, really needing to win this one to atone for their hammering in the aforementioned reverse fixture, given that goal difference the primary tiebreaker. Ivan Hašek's side have won all of their other qualifiers though, most recently beating Montenegro 2-0 in Podgorica in September, with Lukáš Červ scoring early before Václav Černý made the points secure late on at Stadion pod Goricom.
Czechia have remarkably featured at all eight European Championships they've entered since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, but have not fared quite as well in World Cup terms. In fact, Germany 2006 is the only edition at which they've appeared, ousted in a play-off semi-final by Sweden in Stockholm in March 2022, thereby continuing their heartbreak. Well, should they fail to win this clash in Prague, they would surely be play-off bound again, with Croatia all but wrapping up first place.
Czechia vs Croatia head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 5.
- Czechia Wins: Zero. Draws: 2. Croatia Wins: 3.
Czechia team news
Ivan Hašek made wholesale changes for Czechia's last match, a 1-1 friendly draw with Saudi Arabia in Hradec Králové, but all of his key figures will return for this one.
Tomáš Souček has not been seen since being sent off for West Ham against Tottenham on 13 September, subsequently serving a three-match ban, but will captain his country.
Elsewhere, star striker Patrik Schick misses out due to a hamstring injury, which is a major blow, so Tomáš Chorý will lead the line, having scored against Saudi Arabia at Malšovická Aréna. Lastly, in goal, after Jindřich Staněk withdrew due to injury, Matěj Kovář will be donning the gloves.
Czechia predicted lineup vs Croatia: (4-2-3-1): Kovář; Coufal, Krejčí, Jemelka, Zelený; Souček, Červ, Černý, Šulc, Provod; Chorý.
Czechia player to watch vs Croatia
Winger Václav Černý now has eight international goal to his name, having netted against Gibraltar and Montenegro in 2025 so far. He bagged 18 goals at Rangers last season, scoring his first for his new club Beşiktaş against Kocaelispor a couple of weeks ago, so could Černý be the hero in Prague?
Croatia team news
Zlatko Dalić's squad primarily features all of the same old faces, including Mateo Kovačić, who has not played a single minutes for Manchester City since May due to an achilles injury, but could see some action here. Right-backs Josip Stanišić and Josip Juranović though miss out due to injury.
In terms of who is likely to start, Kristijan Jakić could once again deputise at right-back, unable to break into the first-choice midfield, which is pretty strong in fairness.
Andrej Kramarić has scored six times in four qualification appearances this year already, including a brace when Czechia visited Osijek, now only one behind Ivan Perišić's international tally of 37, but he will also start, 14 years on from his international debut, earning cap number 147.
Croatia predicted lineup vs Czechia: (4-3-3): Livaković; Jakić, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modrić, Mario Pašalić, Sučić; Marco Pašalić, Perišić, Kramarić.
Croatia player to watch vs Czechia
Of course, the undisputed star of this team remains Luka Modrić who, at 40 years old, has been one of the best players in Serie A for AC Milan this season, set to earn his 191st international cap.
Assuming he features in every game, he will become only the second man, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to earn 200 appearance for his country during next summer's World Cup, so will he lead Croatia to a crucial victory, thereby all but cementing their spot at the tournament, on Thursday?
Czechia vs Croatia prediction
This match in Prague is tough to call, so we're sitting on the fence and forecasting a draw that would leave the two sides neck and neck at the top of Group L, albeit Croatia would have the major advantage of a game in hand an an exponentially better goal difference: Czechia 1-1 Croatia.
Czechia vs Croatia FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Czech Republic vs Croatia in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Czech Republic vs Croatia in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Czech Republic vs Croatia in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Czech Republic vs Croatia in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Czech Republic vs Croatia in World Cup qualification?
Czech Republic vs Croatia takes place on Thursday 9 October 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).