World Cup Kickoff: The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts Thursday, June 11, with Mexico vs South Africa and South Korea vs Czechia, and the tournament runs through July 19 across the US, Mexico and Canada. Czech Football Focus: Opta gives South Korea a 42.9% chance to beat Czechia in their Group A opener, with Czechia at 31.1% and a draw at 26%. Education Policy: Czech schools will get more flexibility in primary foreign-language teaching: English from year one will be dropped, and a second foreign language becomes a compulsory elective instead of part of the common curriculum. Space Ambition: Czechia is moving toward its first ISS mission, with an ESA–Vast Space agreement presented in Prague and a possible role for astronaut reserve Aleš Svoboda. EU Climate Fight: EU states and industry are clashing over reforms to the carbon market (ETS) ahead of a July 15 proposal. Trade & Diplomacy: Etihad Credit Insurance and Export Finance Australia signed an MoU in Prague to boost UAE–Australia trade and investment. Environment Activism: Greenpeace CZ urges the Czech government to ratify the Global Ocean Agreement to protect oceans from deep-sea mining. Prague Culture/Business: Prague hosts international export-finance talks (TXF) and the Czech Republic’s space and education updates are drawing fresh attention.