Romania to face Türkiye in 2026 World Cup playoff
Romania’s national football team will face Türkiye, away, on March 26, in the semifinals of the playoff for the 2026 World Cup, according to the draw held on Thursday in Zurich.
If they get past Turkey—a team previously coached by Romania’s current manager, Mircea Lucescu—the Tricolors will also play the playoff final away, against the winner of Slovakia vs. Kosovo, on March 31CE Report quotes to AGERPRES.
Turkey finished second in their group, behind Spain, with which they drew 2-2 in the last match. Turkey’s only defeat in this campaign came at home, against the European champions, with an incredible 0–6. Georgia and Bulgaria were also part of the group.
Italy, which missed the last two World Cup editions, will play Northern Ireland in the semifinals, and the winner will face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ukraine will face Sweden, while Poland will host Albania, with the winners of these matches playing for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
In other semifinals, Denmark will meet North Macedonia, and the Czech Republic will play Ireland, with the winner of the final qualifying for the tournament in North America.
Twelve teams—the winners of Europe’s qualifying groups—have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland.
European playoff schedule:
Play-off A
semifinal: Italy – Northern Ireland
semifinal: Wales – Bosnia and Herzegovina
final: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina – Italy/Northern Ireland
Play-off B
semifinal: Ukraine – Sweden
semifinal: Poland – Albania
final: Ukraine/Sweden – Poland/Albania
Play-off C
semifinal: Turkey – Romania
semifinal: Slovakia – Kosovo
final: Slovakia/Kosovo – Turkey/Romania
Play-off D
semifinal: Denmark – North Macedonia
semifinal: Czech Republic – Ireland
final: Czech Republic/Ireland – Denmark/North Macedonia
The World Cup, the first with 48 teams, will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The participants will be divided into 12 groups of four teams, with the top two advancing to the round of 32, along with the best eight third-placed teams.
