“It's going to be hard!” » Dorinel Munteanu drew the conclusion after the draw

The match against Turkey, from Istanbul, will take place on March 26. In case of a qualification in the final of the pool, Romania will also play away, either in Slovakia or in Kosovo.

Dorinel Munteanu: “Everyone must be mobilized”

Dorinel Munteanu reacted after Thursday's draw. Romania will travel to Turkey for the semi-final of the 2026 World Championship qualifier. The most selected player in the history of the national team is of the opinion that the match will be a very difficult one, but the “tricolors” must mobilize if they want to qualify for the final.

“Everything will be difficult! In Istanbul, there is an atmosphere that even the big teams of Europe can hardly stand. There are only four months until March, it is hard for me to believe that the Romanian national team will change much for the better by then.

The most important thing is for the players to understand that there is no second chance! That's how he has to approach the match. It is also important for them to be at the World Cup, even for Lucescu it would be a first”, said Dorinel Munteanu for IAMsport.

Of course, football does not end with this semi-final, but it is decisive, everyone must be mobilized to the maximum!

– Dorinel Munteanu

The match in Turkey will be played on March 26, 2026 away. If it passes the first opponent, the national team will play the final on Tuesday 31st on the field of the winner between Slovakia and Kosovo. The final will also be away.

Pool Finals:

• Slovakia/Kosovo – Turkey/Romania

• Denmark/North Macedonia – Czech Republic/Ireland

• Ukraine/Sweden – Poland/Albania

• Italy/Northern Ireland v Wales/Bosnia