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West Ham's Soucek in Czech World Cup squad

Tomas Soucek celebrates for Czech RepublicGetty Images

West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek has been named in the Czech Republic squad for this summer's World Cup - their first appearance at the tournament since 2006.

With 89 caps to his name, 31-year-old Soucek is the most experienced player selected by head coach Miroslav Koubek.

He is joined in the squad by former Hammers team-mate Vladimir Coufal, who joined Hoffenheim in 2025, while Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci also makes the cut.

At 17, Sparta Prague midfielder Hugo Sochurek is the youngest player selected, while 10 players from reigning Czech champions Slavia Prague will feature.

The expanded 48-team World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico runs from 11 June to 19 July.

The Czechs are in Group A and start their campaign against South Korea on 12 June in Guadalajara.

They then face South Africa in Atlanta on 18 June before playing co-hosts Mexico a week later in Mexico City.

Czech Republic World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)

Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Olympique Lyonnais), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)

Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)