Czechia vs Croatia Preview

A stakes-free but historically tight fixture arrives at Fortuna Arena on Saturday, with Czechia searching for consistency and Croatia carrying the better recent form into this Nations League Group C opener. Czechia’s most recent result was a 0-3 home defeat to Mexico, following a 1-1 home draw with South Africa the game before. Prior to that draw, a 2-1 defeat to South Korea made it three winless outings in a row, while further back a 3-1 home win over Guatemala had itself followed a 2-1 home win over Kosovo. Across these five matches Czechia have taken two wins, a draw and two losses, with the Mexico game their heaviest defeat in the sample.

Croatia’s form has been stronger, if uneven. Most recently they lost 2-1 away at Portugal, following a 2-1 home win over Ghana the game before. Prior to that win, a 0-1 away win at Panama continued an earlier run, and before that a 4-2 home defeat to England had been their heaviest scoreline conceded. Further back, a 2-1 home win over Slovenia opened the sample. Across these five outings Croatia have taken three wins and two losses, with the Portugal defeat their most recent setback after two straight wins.

This head-to-head has been remarkably even, with no side managing more than a single win across the last five meetings and two draws completing the sample. The most recent meeting finished 0-0 away at Croatia in October 2025, following a heavy 5-1 home win for Croatia in June of that year. Fortuna Arena hosts Saturday’s game, and Czechia’s only win in the sample came 2-2 at home in June 2016 before a penalty shootout — Croatia have otherwise shown the sharper edge in this fixture, also winning 4-2 away in February 2011.

This is a Nations League group-stage fixture and neither side has played a match in Group C yet, with all four teams currently level on zero points.

Czechia’s Nations League opener against Croatia will be broadcast in Croatia on Nova TV, with Czech coverage running on ČT Sport and OnePlay. US viewers can catch it on fuboTV, Fubo Sports Network, ViX and Tubi.

Possible Lineups

Czech Republic — Form

Croatia — Form

Head-to-Head

Where to Watch

Table

Group C Standings