The Czech national team hosts Croatia at 9:45 PM today in a top match of Group 12 in the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Croatia leads Group 12 in the qualifiers for the World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in history, with 12 points, ahead of the Czech Republic in second place on goal difference.

Croatia needs to win against the Czech Republic and Gibraltar and hope for the Czech Republic to slip against the Faroe Islands to secure qualification. Alternatively, winning against the Czech Republic and drawing with Gibraltar will also suffice if the Czech Republic suffers a surprise loss to the Faroe Islands.

It is worth noting that the qualification system for the 2026 World Cup in Europe grants direct qualification to the group winners of the 12 groups. The remaining 4 spots will be decided in a playoff held in March 2026, involving 16 teams.

The 16 teams participating in the European playoff for the 2026 World Cup include the 12 group runners-up from the first stage of qualifiers, plus the top 4 ranked teams in the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League who have not qualified directly or reached the playoff yet.

The 16 teams will be divided into 4 playoff paths, each containing 4 teams. Each path will feature single-match semifinals and a single-match final, all scheduled for March 2026.