Guatemala faces Czech Republic in friendly amid recent losses

The Guatemalan national soccer team, under the guidance of coach Luis Fernando Tena, is set to face the World Cup-qualified Czech Republic in a friendly match on Thursday, June 4. The game will take place at the 25,000-capacity Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

Guatemala enters this match on the heels of a disappointing period, having lost both of its games this year: a 1-0 defeat to Canada on January 17 and a significant 7-0 loss to Algeria on March 21. This follows their elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November 2025.

In contrast, the Czech Republic arrives in strong form, boasting five consecutive victories against San Marino, Gibraltar, Ireland, Denmark, and Kosovo. They are also actively preparing for the World Cup, where they will compete in Group A alongside South Korea, South Africa, and Mexico.

The friendly match is generating considerable interest among Guatemalan fans, known as "La Bicolor." This is largely due to the rarity of the team facing European nations or teams affiliated with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Historically, Guatemala has faced UEFA opponents infrequently. Their recent encounters include a 1-0 loss to Iceland on January 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, despite a strong first-half performance. In 2018, Guatemala suffered one of its most significant defeats, a 7-0 loss to Israel, which competes under UEFA despite being a West Asian nation.