Koubek resigns as Czech Republic coach after group-stage exit at World Cup 2026

Miroslav Koubek has resigned as Czech Republic head coach after a group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup, ending a tenure that had begun with the promise of ending the country’s 20-year absence from the tournament.

The 74-year-old cited “stupid mistakes” and the toll of heavy travel as key factors in the team’s failure, but also pointed to a hostile media environment as part of his reasoning. “A media campaign based on a number of half-truths and fabrications against me also contributed to my decision,” Koubek said in a statement. “In this atmosphere, my work for the Czech national team would no longer make sense.”

Czech Republic finished bottom of Group A with a single point, earned from a draw with South Africa. They lost their opening match 2-1 to South Korea despite taking the lead, before a 3-0 hammering by co-hosts Mexico confirmed their elimination. Koubek drew particular criticism for benching star striker Patrik Schick for that decisive defeat.

The irony of the exit is hard to overlook. Koubek had taken over following a humiliating qualifying loss to the Faroe Islands and steered the Czechs through the play-offs — beating the Republic of Ireland and Denmark — to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2006. The squad that made it to North America, featuring Wolverhampton defender Ladislav Krejci and Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Pavel Sulc, was largely built on those play-off performances.

Czech Republic were not alone in suffering an early exit from Group A. South Korea also failed to reach the last 32, and their head coach Hong Myung-bo subsequently quit under heavy pressure. South Korean president Lee Jae-myung was pointed in his criticism, saying the result had proven that “personnel decisions determine everything” and that placing “loyalty and factionalism over competence” leads to predictable failure. He called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to reform sports administration in response.