Czech Republic team news

Czech Republic return to League A after promotion from League B in the 2024-25 Nations League.

The hosts collected one point in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

They last won in June, when they defeated Guatemala in a friendly.

Adam Hlozek, Alex Kral and Michal Sadilek are among the players expected to feature in the new campaign.

Croatia team news

Croatia reached the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup before losing to Portugal.

Slaven Bilic has returned for a second spell as Croatia head coach.

Luka Modric is in line to make his 203rd senior international appearance.

Ante Budimir has started the club season with five goals in seven Osasuna appearances.

Predicted lineups

Czech Republic (predicted 3-5-2): Kovar; Vitik, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Kral, Cerv, Sadilek, Karabec; Sulc, Hlozek.

Croatia (predicted 4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Baturina; Budimir.

These are predicted lineups, not official starting elevens.