Czechia and Croatia open UEFA Nations League campaign in Prague
On Saturday, 26 September, Czechia hosted Croatia at the Fortuna Arena in Prague in a UEFA Nations League League A, Group 3 opener — both sides looking to bounce back from disappointing 2026 World Cup campaigns. According to BBC match statistics, Croatia dominated most of the game's metrics.
Context
Czechia and Croatia's 2026-27 UEFA Nations League League A, Group 3 also features England and Spain, considered the favourites to top the section. Sources differ slightly on the day of the fixture — OneFootball describes it as a Thursday, while Sports Mole, Yardbarker and TechRadar all agree it took place on Saturday, 26 September, kicking off around 7.45-8.45pm Central European Time (2.45pm ET).
Both nations arrived off underwhelming 2026 World Cup campaigns. For Czechia, it was their first tournament appearance since 2006, and they managed just one point in the group stage — a loss to South Korea, a draw with South Africa and a defeat to Mexico — failing to advance. Croatia made it through the group stage, beating Ghana and Panama, but were eliminated 2-1 by Portugal in the round of 32, as reported by Yardbarker.
Coaches and lineups
Sources disagree on Czechia's head coach: OneFootball names Ivan Hašek, while Sports Mole and TechRadar report that Spanish coach Santi Denia is now in charge. Croatia are led once again by Slaven Bilić, who returned for a second spell after Zlatko Dalić's departure, having previously managed the side between 2006 and 2012. According to Sports Mole, veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, 41, was set to earn his 203rd international cap in this match. In attack, Pavel Šulc could take up a spot vacated by the retired Patrik Schick for Czechia.
Head-to-head record
Sources vary on the total number and results of past meetings. OneFootball counts four previous encounters (one Croatia win, three draws), while Sports Mole, Yardbarker and TechRadar all cite six meetings over roughly the last 30 years — though even these figures differ: Sports Mole reports three Croatia wins and three draws, Yardbarker two wins and four draws, and TechRadar three wins and three draws. All sources agree, however, that Czechia has never beaten Croatia, and that the two most recent meetings were a 5-1 Croatia win in 2026 World Cup qualifying followed by a 0-0 draw.
Statistics and broadcast
According to BBC's match data, Croatia dominated the contest: 56.4% possession to 43.6%, 16 shots to 5, 5 shots on target to 2, and 27 touches inside the opposition box compared to 8. The match was broadcast free on CT Sport in Czechia and Nova TV in Croatia, while US viewers could stream it via Tubi.
