Celebrating 125 years of Czech football
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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From the pioneers who laid the foundations of the game in Prague to the next generation chasing success on the European stage, Czech football marked a significant milestone this week as the Football Association of the Czech Republic celebrated its 125th anniversary.
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The inaugural General Assembly of the Czech Football Association (FAČR), held on 19 October 1901 at the U Zlaté váhy restaurant in Prague, marked a defining moment in the organisation and development of football in the country, and 125 years later the FAČR used the anniversary not only to reflect on a rich history but also to look ahead to an ambitious future.
To commemorate the occasion, the FAČR has supported the publication of LIGA 100 Football Champions, a unique chronicle of the country's top-flight competition. The book draws on a comprehensive online database containing statistics from every top-division match ever played.
"We are delighted to celebrate our anniversary by supporting such a remarkable book, one that offers young generations the opportunity to learn from an inspiring history," said FAČR president David Trunda.
"My wish for this anniversary is that we continue to build on the achievements of previous generations and help Czech football flourish in the years ahead. While there are many sporting objectives to pursue, our main focus is to bring more children into the game and support them throughout every stage of their development."
The publication was symbolically christened with freshly cut grass by some of the most celebrated figures in Czech league history, including all-time leading scorer David Lafata and record appearance holder Milan Petržela.
"My wish for this anniversary is that we continue to build on the achievements of previous generations and help Czech football flourish in the years ahead."
A proud international legacy
Czech football has produced many memorable moments on the world stage. The former Czechoslovakia reached two FIFA World Cup finals, finishing as runners-up in 1934 and again in 1962.
The 1962 campaign remains particularly iconic. Led by Ballon d'Or winner Josef Masopust, Czechoslovakia reached the final in Chile, where Masopust scored against Brazil before the South Americans ultimately prevailed.
The national team's proud tradition has continued in the modern era, with Czech football pursuing new milestones while drawing inspiration from past achievements.
The Panenka moment that changed football
Few moments in football history are as instantly recognisable as Antonín Panenka's audacious chipped penalty in the UEFA EURO 1976 final.
"I always tried to do something unexpected," Panenka once said of his approach to the game, "whether it was an unexpected pass or a surprising shot, so that the fans would have something to talk about afterwards."
His decisive penalty in the shoot-out victory against West Germany in Belgrade became one of football's most famous innovations and ensured his name would become part of the sport's vocabulary forever.
Czech football has enjoyed many more memorable EURO moments since, with Czechia having qualified for every European Championship since their unforgettable 1996 campaign, where the team reached the final in England. Fans fondly remember Karel Poborský's exquisite chipped goal against Portugal during that tournament, while an exciting side guided by Karel Brückner reached the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2004 after producing one of the competition's classic comebacks against the Netherlands.
That run followed success at the Under-21 EURO in 2002, when Petr Čech's goalkeeping heroics helped secure a famous penalty shootout victory over France in the final.
Sixty years of women's football
Alongside the 125th anniversary celebrations, Czech football is also celebrating another important anniversary.
On 22 October 1966, a tournament organised in Prague by the magazine Mladý svět helped launch the modern era of women's football in the country. Twenty-six teams took part, with many clubs formed specifically for the competition.
Since then, the women's game has steadily grown. AC Sparta Praha and SK Slavia Praha have built one of the sport's most enduring rivalries, while increasing visibility and television coverage have helped raise the profile of the domestic league.
Czech clubs are also making their mark in UEFA competitions, gaining valuable experience on the European stage and helping drive the continued development of the women's game.
While qualification for a major tournament remains a key objective for the national team, the progress made in recent years provides encouragement for the future.
Looking ahead
The latest chapter in Czech football's story is already being written.
A new generation of players is emerging across the national-team set-up, supported by a renewed focus on youth development and long-term growth. The men's national team continues its preparations for future European Championship qualification campaigns, while the Under-21 side aims to secure its place among Europe's elite.
The FAČR will also have the opportunity to showcase its organisational expertise when it hosts the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2027, with matches scheduled to take place in Prague, Mladá Boleslav, Ústí nad Labem and Vlašim.