It was Dockal's first game for the Czech national team in over a year. His last game came at the end of the qualifying cycle for this year's World Cup. The Czech Republic finished third in its group, and the program decided to give other players the stage for a while.
Dockal intended to make his return last month, but an ankle injury sidelined him from the Czechs' Nations League game against Ukraine. Upon returning to full health, he was called up again by new coach Jaroslav Šilhavý, and given the captain's armband.