Why Czech Republic are recognised as 'Czechia' by UEFA ahead of England game

For the past decade, the Czech Republic has also been known by its shorter official name, "Czechia", following a decision to formally adopt the one-word version.

Santi Denia's side will face England at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night as they look to secure their first points of the 2026-27 Nations League campaign.

Czechia fell to a 2-1 defeat against Group C opponents Croatia on Saturday (September 26) after Marco Pasalic scored a 77th-minute winner for the visitors in Prague.

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Czechia are one of the most successful teams to have never won a World Cup, with Czechoslovakia - twice runners-up in 1934 and 1962 - recognised as theirs and Slovakia's predecessor by FIFA.

They are now in their third guise in international football, having been known as the Czech Republic before 2016.

Czechia name change explained

Back in April 2026, the Czech Republic government decided to adopt the use of Czechia as its English language name, and it was subsequently approved by the United Nations.

According to a press release from the UK's government's Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN), the Czech government decided that 'promoting the name Czechia will reduce confusion for English speakers and also enhance the country's identity and economy'.

The name Czechia has therefore been recognised as the men's and women's national team's identity by FIFA - though the country's state title is still Czech Republic for official uses.

As well as in sporting contexts, Czechia is in use in any literary, musical or media context.

Who else will Czechia play in Nations League?

After their clash against England on Tuesday, Czechia will come up against Spain, a country manager Santi Denia knows well.

Denia took charge of Spain at youth level and won the under-17 Euros in 2017, as well as the under-19 Euros in 2019. He also helped them secure Olympic gold in 2024 before taking the Czechia job.

In fact, the Spaniard spent the entirety of his career playing in his homeland, with a decade-long spell at Atletico Madrid being the standout club on his CV. He also made two appearances for the Spain national team between 1997 and 1998.

Czechia will then face England for a second time on October 6.