Tomas Soucek had barely challenged for the ball when a shocking scene suddenly unfolded in front of thousands of fans at the World Cup. Within seconds, players were waving frantically for help. The match stopped. Faces turned pale. And concern spread throughout the stadium.

West Ham star Tomas Soucek carried off after horror injury in Czechia World Cup clash against Mexico


CZECHIA star Tomas Soucek suffered a horror injury in a bizarre incident at the World Cup.

The West Ham midfielder was attempting to close down record-breaking Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v Mexico

Tomas Soucek is carried away in a stretcher after sustaining an injury against Mexico Credit: Reuters

Tomas Soucek is helped off the field by Czechia teammates against Mexico.

Tomas Soucek is helped off the field by Czechia teammates against Mexico Credit: BBC

Horrific live TV images showed the midfield hardman roll his ankle under him, and drop to the floor in agony.

Players immediately rushed to his aid, and the referee stopped play.

A stretcher was called for instantly by the official.

Medics were seen around him, giving attention to the stricken star.

West Ham star Tomas Soucek shares gruesome head injury sustained on  international duty - The Mirror

Eventually, he was carried off by his teammates.

A stretcher was then called to help him behind-the-scenes at the Azteca.

It was a terrifying incident, which came as Czechia were thrashed in Mexico City.

The co-hosts – alongside the USA and Canada – hammered their European rivals 3-0.

Mexico Czechia WCup Soccer

Soucek screams in agony after picking up the ankle injury in Czechia’s 3-0 loss to Mexico Credit: AP

Sad scenes saw Soucek being helped off the field, at the end of his World Cup.

It is not known the full extent of the 31-year-old’s injury.

However, it did not look good from the images shown on the BBC in the UK, and Fox in the USA.

Soucek suffered a heartbreaking club season, with West Ham being relegated from the Premier League.

It is not known whether he will stay at the London Stadium in the Championship.

But he is still under contract with the Hammers.

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v Mexico

Soucek is carried off on a stretcher around the edge of the field at the Azteca Credit: Reuters