Czech Republic

The Czech Republic now plays its home fixtures at the Fortuna Aréna in Prague, a ground that carried the name Eden Aréna for years before sponsorship changed the signage. It holds 19,370, a modest figure by continental standards, and the move there wasn't really a choice: the previous home, the Letná stadium, was pulled down in 2008, leaving Eden as the only fixed address the team has known since.

The side itself dates only to 1993, formed once Czechoslovakia split into two countries, and it played its first match on 23 February 1994, away to Turkey. Two years later it reached the final of Euro 1996, beaten 1-2 by Germany — still the best the country has managed at a major tournament. World Cups have never gone the same way; the group stage has been the limit, in 2006 and again in 2026.

Pavel Nedvěd captained the team through 91 caps and picked up the Ballon d'Or in 2003, still the country's only one. Petr Čech, another of its captains, finished with 124 appearances, more than anyone else has managed in the red shirt, white shorts and blue socks the team has worn throughout. Jan Koller's 55 goals stand as the record for anyone in front of goal.

No fixture carries more than the one against Slovakia. The two sides came out of the same federation until 1993, and everything played since has gone under the name Federální derby. By 2020 the countries had met 14 times: 9 wins for the Czechs, 3 for Slovakia, 2 draws — a history neither side needs reminding of.