Czech National Team Disintegrating: Another Player Retires After World Cup

The Czech Republic failed to advance from Group A at the 2026 World Cup, finishing last with one point.

"I didn't want to make a decision based on emotions. I was already heading to the tournament convinced these would be my last games for the national team. And nothing, regardless of the outcome, would have changed that," stated the 33-year-old Holeš, according to sport.cz.

The 0-3 loss to host Mexico, where Holeš was unfortunately involved in the opponent's second goal with a miskick, marked the defender's final appearance in the national jersey. Holeš played 43 matches for the senior national team, scoring two goals. At EURO 2021, he found the net during the unexpected Round of 16 triumph over the Netherlands (2-0).

After returning from the USA, he will have a short vacation before joining Slavia Prague's preparations for the new season. He has already played seven seasons for the current Czech league champions and extended his contract with the "Sewn Ones" for another two years before departing for the championship.