Tomas Soucek: Nuno Espirito Santo must channel World Cup passion into West Ham survival

Tomas Soucek still has a major role to play back at West Ham United after his national team qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Czechia beat Denmark 3-1 on penalties in the play-off final on Tuesday, 31 March, putting an end to the nation’s 20-year wait, with those back at the London Stadium also celebrating.

Soucek has become a cult legend in East London, ever since his loan arrival in January 2020, and now boasts 263 appearances since the Hammers spent £19million on his signature.

West Ham next face Leeds United in the FA Cup, but most eyes will be on the relegation six-pointer against Wolves on Friday, 10 April, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side one point inside the dropzone.

Tomas Soucek must play key role in West Ham survival

The 31-year-old has played key roles in previous seasons, notching nine goals and one assist in 2024-25 and 10 goals and three assists in 2023-24.

He also helped the Hammers to the Europa Conference League in the campaign before that, repaying every penny that the club spent on him six years ago.

However, even the midfielder will admit that this season has not been his finest, and now is the time for him to channel his passion and excitement ahead of the World Cup in a useful way.

The Irons have seven Premier League “finals” remaining, and with Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham all circling the drain, survival is there for the taking for Nuno’s side.

What is Soucek’s record against Wolves?

All focus will be on the Wolves clash, and with Crysencio Summerville sidelined, Jarrod Bowen out of form and the defence often parting like the Red Sea, one player needs to stand out for the right reasons.

Against the Old Gold, however, Soucek, who is linked with a West Ham exit, has never drawn, winning seven of his 13 meetings with the club, while also losing six matches, notching three goals in that time.

The Czech star has more than enough to come up with some special moments, though, and if Nuno wants to avoid relegation on his CV, he needs him to come up with the goods.

Soucek is, understandably, creating history with his national team in the summer, but right now, he needs to channel that emotion and excitement into keeping West Ham in the Premier League.

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