The reason why the Czech Republic changed their name to Czechia

Whilst watching the World Cup, football fans may notice a change to the way one nation is referred to.

In 2016, the country’s government requested that the name Czechia be used in any sporting, literary, musical or media context with the name Czech Republic being reserved for official purposes.

The new name is also said to be viewed as a more universal name which will avoid confusion when translated into other languages, and help boost their reputation abroad.

The nation was formerly known as Czechoslovakia until 1992 when it split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.