Czechia qualify for World Cup after beating Denmark on penalties

Updated: Mar 31, 2026, 11:26 pm

Czechia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years after overcoming Denmark 3-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Rasmus Højlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen missed from the spot for the Danes in Prague.

Czechia will play in Group A of the FIFA World Cup after beating Denmark on penalties.
Czechia will play in Group A of the FIFA World Cup after beating Denmark on penalties.
Photo by Sebastian Widmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Pavel Sulc put Czechia ahead before Joachim Andersen nodded home to force an additional 30 minutes.

Ladislav Krejci's deflected finish restored the home side's lead, only for Kasper Høgh's header to take the tie to a shoot-out.

Czechia will play co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.

PA contributed to this report.