Key Points
- Václav Černý, the former Rangers winger, has been omitted from Czech Republic’s 54-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Černý is 28 and now plays for Beşiktaş in Turkey after his loan spell at Ibrox ended last summer.
- He has 30 caps for the Czech Republic and had remained involved with the national team until October last year.
- The preliminary squad was submitted to FIFA by 11 May and will later be reduced to a final 26-man group for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
- Czechia’s wider list leans on established internationals as the country prepares for a return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) May 12, 2026 – As reported by the Czech Football Association through its published preliminary list, the extended squad includes 54 players and will be trimmed later to the final 26 for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Černý, who has won 30 caps for Czechia, did not make the cut, even though he had been part of the national-team picture until October last year.
What does the squad list show about Czechia’s approach?
The preliminary squad points to a selection built around experience, with Czechia leaning on players who helped it through qualification and playoff success. Flashscore reported that the squad includes long-serving names such as Tomáš Souček, Ladislav Krejčí, Pavel Šulc and Vladimír Darida, while Hoffenheim striker Adam Hložek also returns after injury problems.
The same report said the national side, under Miroslav Koubek, will face Kosovo in Prague on 31 May before travelling to a training camp in New Jersey. That preparation underlines how the Czech staff are shaping the group ahead of the finals, rather than treating the 54-man list as a ceremonial announcement.
How has Černý been performing at club level?
Černý has spent this season at Beşiktaş after moving from Wolfsburg in September 2025, and statistical profiles show he has been a regular contributor for the Turkish club. One source lists him with 28 appearances, 1,892 minutes, four Süper Lig goals and eight assists in the 2025/26 campaign.
The former Rangers wide player had seven goals and eight assists in the season referenced by one report, which suggested he has remained active at a high level since leaving Ibrox. Despite that, the Czech selectors have chosen not to place him in the larger squad group released this week.
What has been reported by different outlets?
Prague Daily said the Czech Football Association published the 54-player preliminary squad and confirmed that the final 26-man team will be selected from it later. Flashscore added that the wider list reflects a preference for experience and included the detail that the list had to be submitted to FIFA by 11 May.
The Athletic-style player profile data shows Černý is still producing measurable output for Beşiktaş, which makes his omission notable from a football perspective. Transfermarkt’s squad-not-considered listing also places Černý among the players left out of the current World Cup qualification-related selection pool.
What does this mean for Černý?
For Černý, the omission means he is not currently part of Czechia’s provisional route towards the 2026 World Cup, even though he remains active in a major European league and has previous senior international experience. His exclusion does not rule out future selection entirely, but it does indicate that he is outside the immediate plans for the tournament squad build-up.
Background of the development
Czechia has named a broad preliminary squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The country is preparing for a return to the tournament after a 20-year absence, and the current coaching set-up is using the extended list to manage fitness, form and tactical balance before narrowing it down.
Černý, 28, had been involved with the national team during recent campaigns and also built up experience through his spell with Rangers and subsequent move to Beşiktaş. His absence from the list is therefore one of the more notable selection decisions in the early stages of Czechia’s World Cup planning.
Prediction: how could this affect fans and the player?
For Czech fans, the decision suggests the final World Cup squad may prioritise familiarity and stability over recent club output alone, which could shape expectations for the tournament. For Rangers supporters, Černý’s omission may be seen as a reminder that his international standing is not guaranteed despite a productive club season, while Beşiktaş fans may view it as confirmation that he can focus fully on domestic commitments.
If Czechia continues to favour the current core group, Černý may need a stronger run of form or a change in circumstances to force his way back into contention. That would make the next squad updates and the final 26-man announcement the key checkpoints for his World Cup hopes.
