Czechia face a must-win Matchday 3 against 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico, and in a tactical twist, star forward Patrik Schick has been left out of the European side’s starting XI. It is all-or-nothing for Czechia on the final matchday of the 2026 World Cup group stage as they square off against co-hosts Mexico in desperate pursuit of a vital victory. However, the biggest pre-match headline for the Europeans is a stunning one: forward Patrik Schick will not be on the pitch at the opening whistle.
Despite this being a decisive fixture where only a win can keep Czechia‘s knockout hopes alive, coach Miroslav Koubek has made the bold decision to relegate Schick to the substitutes’ bench.
Stepping into the starting lineup in place of the Bayer Leverkusen striker is Adam Hlozek, who previously featured as a substitute in the opening-day defeat to South Korea before getting the nod to start in the 1-1 draw against South Africa.
STARTING XI 🇨🇿🆚🇲🇽Aztécký chrám odhalil jména základní sestavy proti Mexiku. 🛕🇲🇽 #ProTenhleMoment #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/GB7GnkWk5M— Česká fotbalová reprezentace (@ceskarepre_cz) June 24, 2026
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