Czech striker Patrik Schick announced his retirement from international football on June 25, 2026, a day after the Czech Republic was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup at the group stage [1, 2, 3]. Schick, 30, earned 56 caps and scored 26 goals for his country during a decade-long international career [1, 2, 3].
Schick made his Czech Republic debut in May 2016 against Malta, scoring on his first appearance [3]. He was joint top scorer at Euro 2020 with five goals, sharing the honor with Cristiano Ronaldo, and won the Goal of the Tournament award for a stunning long-range strike against Scotland. The Czech team reached the quarterfinals in that tournament [1, 2, 3].
At the 2026 World Cup, Schick failed to score in three group matches. He was dropped from the starting lineup for the final group game and appeared only as a second-half substitute. The Czech Republic finished bottom of Group A with one point after a 3-0 loss to co-host Mexico in their last match [1, 2, 3].
Reflecting on his career and the national team’s recent results, Schick said, “This decision is not impulsive, nor did it come about overnight. It's an idea I've been carrying with me for quite some time and one I’ve thought long and hard about.” He added, “I'm leaving proud of what I've achieved in the national team jersey. At the same time, however, I feel that Czech soccer has much, much more to offer than it has shown in recent years” [1]. He also stated, “Today, my national team chapter is coming to an end” [3].
Schick’s retirement closes a chapter that included two European Championships and a highlight performance at Euro 2020. The Czech Football Association will now begin preparations for the next international cycle without their veteran striker [3].
