The selections of Guatemala and the Czech Republic will face each other today, at 6 p.m.on American territory, in a friendly match that will pit two teams that are going through very different realities face to face.
While the Europeans refine details for their participation in the 2026 World Cup, The Bicolor is looking for answers and signs of growth, after having been left out of the biggest event in world football.
The match, which will be played at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, United States, will serve as the last test for the Czechs, before making their debut on June 11 against South Korea, in Group A of the World Cup. For Guatemala, on the other hand, it represents an opportunity to measure its level before an elite team and evaluate the progress of the project headed by the Mexican Luis Fernando Tena.
The national squad reaches this commitment after a complicated start to 2026 on the international stage. The Bicolor accumulated defeats against Canada (1-0) in January and suffered a hard fall against Algeria (7-0) in March, results that showed the difficulties of a team that is going through a stage of renewal and reconstruction, after having failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Aware of the rival’s demands, Tena has insisted on the importance of competing with personality and tactical order, to regain confidence and strengthen the image of Guatemalan soccer.
“Playing against the Czech Republic, when they are already very tuned for the World Cup, is going to be a very good test for us. We must take great care of our image and our prestige,” said the strategist before the trip to the United States.
For this commitment, the coach called up 22 footballers from the national league and legionnaires, combining experience and youth, in a clear commitment to accelerate the generational change that he intends to consolidate during his second cycle at the head of the national team.
The Czech Republic, for its part, arrives driven by a very different moment. With figures such as Tomáš Soucek and Patrik Schick as references, the Europeans will face their last test before the World Cup, where they will share a group with Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
Possible alignments
Czech Republic
- David Doudera
- Robin Hranac
- Lukas Cerv
- Thomas Ladra
- Aleandr Sojka
- Pavel Bucha
- Jan Kuchta
- Adam Hlozek
Guatemala
- Nicholas Hagen
- Jose Morales
- Marcelo Hernandez
- Jose Pinto
- Nicolas Samayoa
- Oscar Castellanos
- Jose Rosales
- Jonathan Franco
- John Mendez
- Oscar Santis
- Darwin Lom