A ‘devastated’ Mads Hermansen saw his World Cup dreams go up in smoke as Denmark lost on penalties to Tomas Soucek’s Czech Republic in a mixed night for West Ham United.
Has any footballer had more joy in a single city than Tomas Soucek has in Prague?
A two-time league champion with Slavia Prague, a Conference League winner with West Ham United in the Czech capital in 2023, and now bound for the World Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory over Denmark at the EPET Arena.
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Bowen? Summerville? Fernandes, maybe?
FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Photo by Mandel NGAN – Pool/Getty Images
Soucek fired a penalty past Hammers teammate Mads Hermansen as the Czech Republic ended their two-decade wait for World Cup qualification.
As for Hermansen, his own ‘dream’ will have to be placed on the backburner until 2030 rolls around.
Tomas Soucek beats Mads Hermansen in battle of West Ham United duo
The former Brondby goalkeeper was speaking to Viaplay after a dramatic 2-2 draw over 120 minutes proceeded a penalty shoot-out edged by the hosts.
“We are all feeling terrible,” Hermansen said. “We are devastated. Our dreams of going to the World Cup for Denmark have gone out the window.
Mads Hermansen (Denmark) controls the ball during during Semi-final FIFA World Cup Qualification: Denmark and North Macedonia
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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“We are sad about it.”
A stark contrast, indeed. Hermansen enjoyed a ‘dream’ Denmark debut only a few days earlier, Brian Riemer’s side thrashing North Macedonia 4-1 in the play-off semi-final. Look no further than this for a perfect example of the highs and lows of professional sport.
There could be six West Ham players at the World Cup this summer, including Soucek.
Mateus Fernandes made his long-awaited, much-deserved Portugal debut in Tuesday’s 2-0 friendly victory over tournament co-hosts USA. Crysencio Summerville is part of Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands plans, at least when fit.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s DR Congo beat Jamaica in their play-off, Soucek and El Hadji Malick Diouf will represent the Czech Republic and Senegal respectively, while Jarrod Bowen looks likely to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England roster.
Which West Ham star do YOU think will go the furthest at the World Cup? 🌎
Tomas Soucek of Czechia celebrates scoring his teams second penalty in the shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Czechia and Denmark at EPET ARENA on March 31, 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Denmark’s World Cup failure is a ‘huge disappointment’
Hermansen, at least, will have the luxury of being able to put his feet up and watch the tournament unfold from a sunny sports bar somewhere around the world. Not that even the best seat in the house will compensate for the death of a lifelong dream.
“We can’t make any excuses. It’s not good enough that we don’t make it to the World Cup, considering the entire qualification process,” a dejected head coach Brian Riemer told DR Sporten, his future now the subject of serious scrutiny.
“We can call it whatever we want, the message is the same. We are super disappointed, angry and bitter that we haven’t got the results we needed to qualify for the World Cup. It’s just a huge disappointment for me and the whole squad.”
Hermansen included.
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