West Ham United have been handed a major selection concern ahead of their opening competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season, with influential midfielder Tomas Soucek set to miss Saturday’s Carabao Cup first-round meeting with Portsmouth.
The Hammers begin life in the Championship under Nuno Espírito Santo with an immediate test at the London Stadium, but the manager will have to plan without one of the most recognisable and popular figures in his squad. Soucek’s absence is particularly significant given his experience, physical presence and importance to West Ham over recent seasons.
West Ham’s meeting with Portsmouth takes place on Saturday, 8 August, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm at the London Stadium. It represents the club’s first competitive match since relegation from the Premier League and the beginning of their attempt to return to the top flight at the first opportunity.
For supporters hoping to see a strong starting XI immediately under Espírito Santo, the news surrounding Soucek will therefore be a concern.
Soucek absence creates an immediate midfield problem
Soucek has established himself as one of West Ham’s most dependable players since arriving from Slavia Prague. He has made hundreds of appearances for the club and has become particularly important because of his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
His value is not limited to passing or possession. The Czech midfielder provides height, strength, defensive discipline and a genuine threat from set pieces. Those qualities become particularly important in matches where opponents defend deeply and West Ham need alternative ways of creating chances.
Recent reports have described Soucek as a firm fan favourite, while his importance to the club has continued despite the difficult circumstances surrounding West Ham’s relegation.
The midfielder also suffered an injury while representing Czechia at the 2026 World Cup, adding another layer of uncertainty to his preparations for the new campaign.
That makes his absence against Portsmouth something West Ham cannot simply dismiss.
A difficult beginning for Nuno Espírito Santo
The Portsmouth fixture carries considerably more importance than an ordinary first-round cup match.
West Ham are entering their first season outside the Premier League since 2011, following relegation at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. The club have appointed Nuno Espírito Santo to oversee the rebuilding process and have made an immediate return to the Premier League their principal objective.
The manager therefore needs his senior players available, particularly during the opening weeks of the campaign when the squad is still adapting to his methods.
West Ham’s preparations have produced encouraging moments. They recorded a 5-0 victory over Stevenage during pre-season and also drew against Southend United and Rangers before travelling to Germany to face 1. FC Magdeburg in their final pre-season fixture.
However, the pre-season results have also highlighted the amount of work still required.
Captain Jarrod Bowen previously acknowledged that West Ham had been too slow and careless during periods of their goalless draw with Rangers, stressing the need for the team to continue improving before the competitive campaign began.
That is why losing an experienced player such as Soucek at the beginning of the competitive season could prove inconvenient.
Why Soucek matters so much
There are certain players whose importance cannot always be measured through statistics alone.
Soucek is one of those players.
The Czech international has regularly been used as a midfielder who can contribute inside both penalty areas. His ability to attack crosses and set pieces has produced important goals throughout his West Ham career, while his defensive work gives managers an additional layer of protection in midfield.
He has also become an established figure in the dressing room.
For a squad attempting to recover from relegation, having experienced players who understand the demands of English football is particularly valuable. West Ham have several younger players who could be given opportunities under Espírito Santo, but Soucek’s experience cannot simply be replicated overnight.
That is particularly relevant in the Championship, where matches can become physical and congested.
West Ham will face opponents who are likely to make the London Stadium a difficult environment by defending compactly and attempting to frustrate the hosts. Soucek’s ability to win aerial battles and attack second balls could have been useful in such situations.
Portsmouth will see an opportunity
Portsmouth will arrive in East London with their own problems, but they will also recognise that West Ham are not yet a completely settled side.
The visitors have dealt with injury concerns of their own, including issues affecting captain Marlon Pack and Connor Ogilvie. Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has also provided an update on Josh Murphy, who has faced a fitness setback.
Nevertheless, Portsmouth will be encouraged by any absence from West Ham’s strongest available team.
The match is also an intriguing contest because both clubs will be competing in the Championship this season after West Ham’s relegation. Saturday’s cup tie therefore provides an early indication of how the two teams compare before the league campaign develops.
For West Ham, however, the priority will be making sure that the absence of Soucek does not destabilise their midfield.
Who could replace him?
Espírito Santo has several options available.
James Ward-Prowse is one of the most obvious alternatives because of his experience and technical quality. His ability to deliver set pieces could also help compensate for some of what West Ham lose without Soucek.
Young players could also receive opportunities.
West Ham have been developing a number of academy prospects and have already been looking at ways to integrate younger players into the first-team environment. George Earthy and other emerging talents have been part of the wider conversation around the squad, while supporters have been encouraged by the opportunities available to youngsters during pre-season.
That could make Saturday’s match particularly interesting from a selection perspective.
If Soucek is unavailable, Espírito Santo may decide that the safest approach is to use experienced midfielders. Alternatively, he could use the Portsmouth match to give one of the younger players a chance to make a statement.
The decision will ultimately depend on the manager’s assessment of the squad.
The bigger issue for West Ham
The immediate concern is Portsmouth, but the larger issue is the condition of West Ham’s squad as they prepare for a long Championship campaign.
The club cannot afford to rely on a small group of senior players throughout the season. Championship football is demanding, with a high number of matches and very little opportunity for players to recover between fixtures.
Squad depth will therefore be essential.
West Ham have already experienced significant change during the summer. The club have had to deal with departures, recruitment decisions and the financial consequences of relegation, while Espírito Santo has been tasked with creating a team capable of competing for promotion.
The club’s off-field situation has also attracted considerable attention. Recent reporting has highlighted continuing tensions around the ownership and boardroom situation, adding another layer of uncertainty around the club as they prepare for life in the second tier.
On the pitch, though, Espírito Santo will want the players focused entirely on football.
Supporters will be watching closely
There is understandable excitement among West Ham supporters about the new campaign, despite the disappointment of relegation.
Around 50,000 season tickets have reportedly been sold, demonstrating the level of support behind the club as they attempt to return to the Premier League.
That support will be important.
Fans will expect West Ham to approach the Championship with authority, but they will also understand that promotion cannot be taken for granted.
The Portsmouth match will therefore be about more than simply reaching the next round of the Carabao Cup. It is an opportunity for Espírito Santo to demonstrate that his team is ready for competitive football.
Without Soucek, the manager must find another way to maintain the balance and physicality that the midfielder normally provides.
For supporters, the biggest hope will be that the current concern does not develop into a lengthy absence.
Nigerian supporters will also be watching
West Ham have a significant international following, including supporters across Nigeria who closely follow English football.
For Nigerian fans, the start of the Championship campaign offers a different kind of storyline. West Ham remain one of the most recognisable English clubs, and their relegation has created considerable interest in how quickly they can rebuild.
The absence of an established player such as Soucek will therefore be viewed as an early test of Espírito Santo’s squad management.
The Nigerian perspective is particularly relevant because West Ham’s season could quickly become one of the most closely followed promotion stories in the Championship. If the Hammers begin strongly, confidence around the club could return quickly. If injuries begin to affect key players, however, questions over squad depth could become louder.
What Saturday could tell us
The Portsmouth match should provide the first genuine indication of what West Ham will look like under Espírito Santo when points and progression are at stake.
Pre-season has allowed the manager to experiment, assess his players and introduce his tactical ideas. Competitive football is different.
Every decision carries greater weight.
The absence of Soucek means Espírito Santo may have to make one of those decisions earlier than expected.
West Ham’s midfield will need to compensate for the Czech’s physical presence, while the attacking players will have to take greater responsibility for creating and finishing chances.
Bowen, in particular, remains an important figure for the club. The captain has stayed with West Ham despite relegation and is expected to play a central role in the promotion campaign. His leadership will be crucial as the club attempts to recover from one of the most difficult seasons in its recent history.
Conclusion
West Ham’s opening competitive fixture of the new season has already been given an additional layer of intrigue by the absence of Tomas Soucek.
The midfielder is more than simply another player on the team sheet. He is an experienced international, a long-serving member of the squad and a firm fan favourite who offers qualities that are difficult to replace.
His absence against Portsmouth will therefore be closely monitored.
At the same time, Espírito Santo must ensure that the concern does not become an excuse. West Ham have a squad packed with experienced players and promising youngsters, and the manager now has the opportunity to demonstrate that his team can cope with adversity.
Portsmouth will provide a serious test, but it is also an opportunity.
For West Ham, the objective is clear: begin the new era positively, navigate the early injury concerns and show that relegation has not permanently weakened the club.
The road back to the Premier League starts at the London Stadium.
And with Soucek unavailable, the Hammers will have to find another way to make their opening statement.
