PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jan Kuchta |
| Date of Birth | 08/01/1997 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | Liberec, Czech Republic |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Height | 1.83–1.85 m / 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 81–86 kg |
| Position | Striker / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #13 (Czechia) |
| Current Club | Sparta Prague |
| Previous Clubs | Slavia Prague, FC Midtjylland, Lokomotiv Moscow, FK Teplice, Bohemians Prague, Slovácko |
| International Caps | 27–31 |
| International Goals | 3 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | €3M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America represented a career milestone for Jan Kuchta. The 29-year-old striker from Liberec had already achieved domestic success, winning three Czech league titles with both Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague. Now, he was part of Czechia’s 26-man squad for the tournament, wearing the number 13 shirt alongside forwards Patrik Schick, Adam Hlozek, and Tomáš Chorý.
For Kuchta, the World Cup was the culmination of a career that had seen him cross the fierce Prague divide—playing for both Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague—and venture abroad with Danish side FC Midtjylland. The journey from the domestic league to the world stage was complete.
Origins
Born on January 8, 1997, in Liberec, Czech Republic, Jan Kuchta began his professional career in the Czech football system. He made his league debut for Slavia Prague on November 8, 2015. Over the years, he developed into a physical, right-footed striker standing 185 cm tall.
Kuchta made his senior debut for the Czech Republic national team in 2021 and has since earned 27 to 31 caps, scoring three international goals. His first international goal came against Switzerland on June 2, 2022, followed by a goal against Spain three days later, and a third against Poland in Euro 2024 qualifying on March 24, 2023.
The European Forge
Early Career & Loan Spells (2015-2020):
Kuchta’s career began at Slavia Prague, but he was loaned out to several clubs to gain experience, including Bohemians Prague, FK Teplice, and Slovácko. He gained valuable first-team minutes in the Czech First League and developed his goalscoring instincts.
Slavia Prague (2020-2022):
Kuchta returned to Slavia Prague and became a key figure in the attack. He helped the club win the Czech First League title in 2021 and added a Czech Cup to his trophy collection. In the 2020/21 season, he scored 15 league goals. He also featured in European competitions, scoring 5 goals in 15 UEFA appearances for Slavia.
Lokomotiv Moscow (2022):
In 2022, Kuchta moved to Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, making 10 league appearances.
Sparta Prague (2023-2024):
Kuchta returned to Prague, signing for Sparta, the city’s other major club. He won back-to-back Czech First League titles with Sparta in 2023 and 2024. In the 2023/24 season, he scored 17 league goals and provided 7 assists in 32 appearances. He also contributed 3 goals in 10 Europa League appearances.
FC Midtjylland (2024-2025):
Kuchta had a brief spell in Denmark with FC Midtjylland. He made 9 league appearances, scoring 1 goal.
Return to Sparta Prague (2025-Present):
Kuchta returned to Sparta Prague in January 2025. In the 2025/26 season, he scored 6 league goals in 19 appearances. He also featured in the UEFA Conference League, making 8 appearances and providing 2 assists.
The Anatomy of His Game
Jan Kuchta is a physical, right-footed striker who uses his size (185 cm) to hold up play and win aerial duels. He is a proven goalscorer in the Czech First League and has an eye for goal in European competitions.
In Possession:
Kuchta has scored 6 goals in the 2025/26 Chance Liga season and contributed 3 assists. Across his career in the Czech league, he has 207 appearances, 81 goals, and 22 assists. In the 2025/26 season, he has a shots-on-target percentage of 16.2%. He has taken 2 career penalties but missed both, converting 0%.
Out of Possession:
Kuchta has a high work rate and is not afraid to put pressure on defenders. In the 2025/26 season, he has committed 5 fouls and received 5 yellow cards.
Psychological Edge:
Kuchta’s ability to perform for both Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague—two of Czech football’s fiercest rivals—demonstrates his mental fortitude. His experience in multiple European competitions adds to his big-game temperament.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech First League | 19 | 1,017 | 6 | 3 | — |
| UEFA Conference League | 8 | 387 | 0 | 2 | — |
| World Cup Qualifying (2026) | 2 | 16 | 0 | 1 | — |
| Friendlies | 1 | 21 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 30 | 1,441 | 6 | 6 | — |
TABLE B: Career (Selected Seasons)
| Season | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Sparta Prague | Czech First League | 19 | 6 |
| 2023/24 | Sparta Prague | Czech First League | 32 | 17 |
| 2022/23 | Sparta Prague | Czech First League | 29 | 14 |
| 2020/21 | Slavia Prague | Czech First League | 27 | 15 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 207 | 81 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | — | — | — |
| World Cup Qualifying (2026) | 2 | 0 | — |
| UEFA Nations League | — | 2 | — |
| UEFA Euro Qualifying | — | 1 | — |
| Czech Republic Senior Career | 27–31 | 3 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Professional Debut | Slavia Prague |
| 2021 | Czech First League Winner | Slavia Prague |
| 2023 | Czech First League Winner | Sparta Prague |
| 2024 | Czech First League Winner | Sparta Prague |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Czechia squad |
What these figures reveal is a player who has established himself as a consistent goalscorer at the Czech First League level. Kuchta has accumulated 207 league appearances and 81 goals. His three domestic league titles and his experience in multiple European competitions demonstrate his winning pedigree. His 27-31 caps for Czechia and World Cup selection underscore his importance to the national team.
The Present Tense
Jan Kuchta is 29 years old and a key player for Sparta Prague, having been selected for Czechia’s 2026 World Cup squad.
The Sparta Prague Story:
Kuchta returned to Sparta Prague in January 2025 and has been a regular contributor. In the 2025/26 season, he has scored 6 goals in 19 league appearances and provided 2 assists in European competition. He is earning an annual salary of €650,000.
The World Cup Campaign:
Kuchta was included in Miroslav Koubek’s preliminary 29-man squad and made the final 26-man roster for the World Cup in North America. He will wear the number 13 jersey. Czechia will face Mexico (co-hosts), South Korea, and South Africa in Group A.
International Record:
Kuchta has 27-31 caps for the Czech Republic and has scored 3 international goals. He made his debut in 2021.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Jan Kuchta is a symbol of Czech football’s ability to produce physical, reliable strikers. Born in Liberec and raised in the Czech Republic, he has spent his entire career in the Czech and Danish leagues, winning three domestic titles.
His career has been marked by adaptability. He has played for both Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague, crossing the Prague divide, and has also featured for clubs in Denmark, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
Kuchta has also been capped at youth level for the Czech Republic, representing the U21 national team.
The Verdict from the Camp
Statistic:
Kuchta has 27-31 caps for the Czech Republic and has scored 3 international goals.
Statistic:
Kuchta has won three Czech First League titles (2021 with Slavia Prague, 2023 and 2024 with Sparta Prague).
Statistic:
Kuchta is under contract with Sparta Prague and is earning an annual salary of €650,000.
Where Next?
Jan Kuchta is 29 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is a key player for Sparta Prague and has earned his place at the World Cup. His experience and goalscoring ability make him a valuable asset for both club and country.
For Czechia, Kuchta is a proven goalscorer at the domestic level who will provide depth to the attack alongside Patrik Schick and Adam Hlozek. The 2026 World Cup will be a significant milestone in his career and could raise his profile further.
From Liberec to the World Cup, from Slavia to Sparta, Jan Kuchta’s journey is one of resilience, consistency, and the ability to perform at the highest level in Czech football. The striker who has won three league titles has earned his place on the biggest stage of all.
