Person

Kovář

Czech goalkeeper who saved two penalties to send Czechia to their first World Cup since 2006.

Last refreshed: 1 April 2026

Key Question

Can Kovář's club form translate into a World Cup run for Czechia in 2026?

Latest on Kovář

#41 Apr

Kovář Saves Two Penalties to Send Czechia to World Cup

Common Questions

Who is Matej Kovář?: Czech goalkeeper at Bayer Leverkusen (loan from Manchester City). He saved two Danish penalties on 31 March 2026 to send Czechia to the 2026 World Cup.Source: UEFA
Did Czechia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?: Yes, beating Denmark 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Kovář saved two penalties. It is Czechia's first World Cup since 2006.Source: UEFA

Background

Matej Kovář is a goalkeeper for Bayer Leverkusen (on loan from Manchester City) and the Czechia national team. On 31 March 2026, he saved two Danish penalties in the shootout after Czechia drew 2-2 with Denmark in Prague, sending Czechia to the 2026 World Cup with a 3-1 penalty victory.

It is Czechia's first World Cup qualification since 2006 Germany. The Czech Republic (as it was then known) reached the quarter-finals in 2006 before losing to Portugal. Kovář's performances at club level with Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga in 2023-24, have established him as one of the more technically assured goalkeepers in European football.

How the World Sees Them

Czechia

Kovář's two penalty saves were the defining moment in a tightly contested playoff. His Bundesliga experience with Leverkusen was cited as a key factor in his composure under pressure.

Denmark

Denmark's elimination by penalty shootout, with Kovář denying two efforts, was a painful exit. They had been favourites for the playoff tie given their recent form.

European football

Czechia's return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence adds another strong European side to the 48-team field and underlines the expanded format's capacity to reward consistent qualifying campaigns.