Czech Republic Names Youngest Player in World Cup Squad

Seventeen-year-old Hugo Sochurek has been named to the Czech Republic's World Cup squad, making him the youngest player to represent the national team after a successful warmup match against Kosovo. The team secured a 2-1 victory in this match, where Sochurek came in as a substitute.

Coach Miroslav Koubek trimmed his squad from 29 to 26 players on Sunday. The final squad did not include FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha, Mladá Boleslav's Christophe Kabongo, and Tomáš Ladra of Viktoria Plzen. Despite facing tough decisions, Koubek noted it was "probably the worst moment" of his coaching career.

In positive news, Hoffenheim's Adam Hložek, who had been sidelined due to calf and foot injuries, is back in the team and scored on his national return. The Czech squad will head to the United States to face Guatemala in New Jersey as their final preparation game before the World Cup begins on June 11 against South Korea in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Within the squad are key players like Lyon's Pavel Šulc, Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick, and Tomáš Soucek from West Ham. Slavia Prague's Tomáš Chorý and David Doudera are also included, despite recent club suspensions. The Czech team will be based in Mansfield, Texas throughout the World Cup.

(With inputs from agencies.)