Credit: Imago

James Barker

Fri 3 April 2026 11:30, UK

West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek has penned a moving X post, after achieving a dream he’s held since he was “a little boy” after helping Czechia qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The March international break was the biggest one for Soucek and his Czechia team in many years, as they entered the World Cup play-offs.

Their first test was against the Republic of Ireland in the semi-finals, with the Czechs winning 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.

As a result, this set up a play-off final match with Denmark last Tuesday, with the winners earning a place in this summer’s World Cup.

Czechia would again draw 2-2 in regular time, before winning 3-1 on penalties to seal their place at the tournament, ensuring Soucek will return to West Ham for their Premier League run-in smiling from ear to ear.

What Tomas Soucek wrote after Czechia World Cup qualification

Soucek always wears his heart on his sleeve, whether that be for West Ham or when representing his country at international level.

It’s what’s helped him forever earn a place in Hammers hearts, as the 31-year-old perhaps moves into the twilight years of his career.

Having been capped 89 times for Czechia, he’s also one of their greatest ever players too, having made his senior debut for them a decade ago in 2016.

Soucek has represented his nation at Euro 2020 and 2024 respectively, but has never been able to help take his team to a World Cup finals, until now.

And, in an emotional letter he published to his official X account following the win over Denmark, it’s clear just how much this achievement means to him.

Upon translating the message, Soucek writes: “When you dream, dream big.

“You can’t even imagine how many times, as a little boy, I went to bed wishing to be like those I had plastered on the wall next to me. There was the whole team from the 2006 World Cup.

“Now, twenty years later, we’re finally building on their legacy. And I, who still sleeps in that same bed when visiting my parents, can suddenly be one of them.

“Through the qualifiers and two penalty shootouts, we marched all the way to secure our ticket to Mexico. Couldn’t be prouder. Of us. Of you. Of the whole country.

“That we pulled it off together and put Czechia back among the best. Where it belongs. Thank you for that, your Suk.”

When is the last time Czechia qualified for a World Cup?

Soucek makes reference to the 2006 Czechia team that made it to the World Cup finals in Germany that year, and for good reason.

That’s because this is the last time Czechia played at a World Cup finals, having failed to qualify for 2022, 2018, 2014 and 2010 respectively.

In fact, you then have to go back to Italia 90 to find the next Czech team that made the tournament, where they went all the way to the quarter-finals.

So, whilst England will be the main attraction and focus for the majority of West Ham fans this summer, many are sure to have Czechia as their second team due to Soucek and their story.