Czech Republic names 17-year-old Sochůrek as youngest World Cup player
Hugo Sochůrek, who previously played for the club’s reserve side, has been selected in the 26-man squad for the Czech Republic’s World Cup campaign.
The Czech Football Association has selected 17-year-old Hugo Sochůrek in the 26-man squad for the World Cup in North America, making him the tournament’s youngest player. The Sparta Prague midfielder was previously playing for the club’s reserve team in the Czech second division, the Chance Liga, just months before his rapid elevation to the senior national team.
Sochůrek made his senior debut as a substitute in a warm-up match against Kosovo, becoming the youngest player in the history of the Czech national team. Born in Tábor in 2008, he joined Sparta Prague’s academy in 2020 at the age of 12, having started his career in the youth teams of his local club, Táborsko.
His playing profile is described as unusual for Czech football, with media reports noting his ability to play on the ball, find spaces, and distribute intelligently. Standing at 1.83m, the central midfielder is noted for statistics that are more typical of a Premier League player, including 3.4 successful dribbles and 3 successful tackles per 90 minutes.
The selection marks a significant step for the teenager, who was highlighted by OneFootball as a rising talent. The source material, originally published in French and translated into English, emphasises his rare skill set within the Chance Liga and his potential impact on the international stage.
Sochůrek’s inclusion in the squad underscores the Czech Republic’s focus on integrating young talent into their World Cup preparations. His performance in the warm-up fixtures against Kosovo has already secured his place in the national team record books.
