{
  "id": 8250406,
  "title": "Czech Republic coach Santi Denia keeps large part of World Cup squad for Nations League games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/czech-republic-coach-santi-denia-keeps-large-part-of-world-cup-squad",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T13:31:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/czech-republic-coach-santi-denia-133156182.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PRAGUE (AP) — Santi Denia, the newly appointed Czech Republic coach, has retained a significant portion of his World Cup squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia, England, and World Cup winners Spain. The Spaniard, appointed on July 31, took control of the team following their early exit from the World Cup. Denia has selected 15 players from the World Cup squad, which included teams that lost to South Korea, Mexico, and drew with South Africa, finishing at the bottom of Group A with just one point. Midfielders Lukáš Ambros from Anderlecht, Roman Macek from Sparta Prague, and Matěj Radosta from Teplice are among the three new additions to the roster. With Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick announcing his retirement from international soccer following the World Cup's elimination, only three forwards remain on the team. Injured West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček is not available, but forwards Pavel Šulc of Lyon, Adam Hložek of Hoffenheim, and goalkeepers Lukáš Horníček from Newcastle and Antonín Kinský from Tottenham are included. The Czech Republic will begin their Nations League campaign by hosting Croatia on September 26, followed by matches against England in Prague on September 29 and Spain on October 3. A final game against England is scheduled for October 6 at the Webley Stadium.",
  "summary": "Newly appointed Czech Republic coach Santi Denia included three newcomers in his first squad to face Croatia, England and World Cup champion Spain in the Nations League. The Spaniard was appointed on July 31 as the first foreign coach in the post after the team’s early exit from the World Cup.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Portugal roster for 2026 UEFA Nations League: Cristiano Ronaldo expected to be called in for fall matches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/portugal-roster-for-2026-uefa-nations-league-cristiano-ronaldo",
        "published": "2026-09-18T07:00:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Alexander-Arnold, Palmer return to England squad for Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/alexander-arnold-palmer-return-to-england-squad-for-nations-league",
        "published": "2026-09-18T11:02:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Cristiano Ronaldo included in Nations League squad by new Portugal coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/cristiano-ronaldo-included-in-nations-league-squad-by-new-portugal",
        "published": "2026-09-18T11:30:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ronaldo-named-in-portugal-squad-for-nations-league",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:24:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ronaldo-named-in-portugal-squad-for-nations-league-8262904",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:39:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Ronaldo named in Jesus' first Portugal squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ronaldo-named-in-jesus-first-portugal-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:45:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}