PRAGUE: The Czech football federation (FACR) announced the sacking of national team coach Ivan Hasek on Wednesday, following a humiliating 2-1 defeat in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Seeking their first World Cup appearance since 2006, the Czechs are not even completely sure of a berth in the playoffs next March — a situation compounded by their loss in Torshavn on Sunday. Croatia top Group L, three points ahead of the Czech Republic, and the 2018 World Cup runners-up also have a game in hand on their rivals. The Faroes lie one point behind the Czechs, with both having one match remaining in their campaign. “We have terminated cooperation with Ivan Hasek as of today,” FACR head David Trunda told reporters. Trunda added that the FACR would now look for a new coach, possibly a foreigner. An “interim coach” is meanwhile likely to lead the team in their last World Cup qualifier at home to Gibraltar in November. Hasek started his second stint as national team coach ahead of Euro 2024, at which the Czechs were knocked out in the group stage. Pundits criticized the 62-year-old former midfielder for his unattractive style of play, while he bemoaned having no players coming even close to the level of former Czech greats such as Pavel Nedved or Tomas Rosicky. Hasek came under heavy fire following a 5-1 defeat in a World Cup qualifier in Croatia in June. As a player.
