Romania’s national football team is set to face Turkey in a crucial playoff match for the 2026 World Cup. This semi-final showdown will take place at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul. Romania has not qualified for a World Cup in 28 years, adding pressure to this significant encounter.
Match Details
Excitement is building as thousands of Romanian fans are expected to attend the game. The kick-off is scheduled for March 26, 2026.
Starting Lineups
- Turkey: U. Cakir – M. Muldur, S. Akaydin, A. Bardakci, F. Kadioglu – I. Yuksek, H. Calhanoglu, B. A. Yilmaz, A. Guler, K. Yildiz – K. Akturkoglu.
- Coach: Vincenzo Montella
- Romania: Ionuț Radu – N. Bancu, A. Burcă, R. Drăgușin, A. Rațiu – V. Dragomir, I. Hagi (captain), R. Marin – V. Mihăilă, D. Bîrligea, D. Man.
- Coach: Mircea Lucescu
Officiating Crew
- Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
- Assistants: Cyril Mugnier, Mehdi Rahmouni (France)
- Fourth Official: Benoit Bastien (France)
- Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (France)
- Assistant VAR: Jerome Brisard (France)
- UEFA Observer: Elmir Pilav (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias (Czech Republic)
Path to Qualification
For Romania to secure a spot in the World Cup, they must first defeat Turkey on March 26. Following that, they will face the winner of the Slovakia vs. Kosovo match on March 31, also away from home. Both matches are critical for Romania’s chances of breaking their World Cup drought.
Fan Support
The Romanian Gendarmerie shared a video on social media showcasing Romanian supporters in Turkey, rallying in the streets just hours before kickoff. This shows the strong dedication and enthusiasm of fans supporting their team during this pivotal moment.
Fans and players alike are hoping for a victory that will propel Romania back onto the world stage after decades of absence from the World Cup finals.
