Mircea Lucescu's reaction after Turkey got in his way to the World Cup: “We have to raise our level”

Mircea Lucescu (80 years old), Romania's national coach, gave the first statements after the “tricolors” found out the opponent in the pool for the 2026 World Cup.

Romania fell with Turkey in the play-off for the 2026 World Cup | PHOTO Profimedia

Our national team will play in one leg, on March 26, 2026, right in Istanbul, on the ground of Turkey, a national team that puts a lot of pressure on its own ground.

If Romania gets past the Turks, the road to the World Cup continues five days later, on March 31, 2026, in the play-off final, also away, against the winner of Slovakia and Kosovo.

Mircea Lucescu: “It won't be easy”

Immediately after the draw in Zurich, Lucescu sounded the alarm. The coach knows Turkish football very well, has coached in the SuperLig and was, at one point, even Turkey's coach, but this experience makes him cautious.

“I know they have good players. They have a good team. What can I say? I know Turkish football very well. All teams are at the same level. It's not a problem. We know how to play with such a team. That's not a problem.

Normal (no draw), all teams in Group 1 were of the same level. No one else could be chosen for the play-off match. I think the chances are for all teams, for all eight.

I know them very well, but in their last evolution, with Spain, there were six players who debuted with me. I know them very well, 4-5 years ago, when they were young. Turkey is going through a good time. We, in these four months, have to raise our level, the players through the clubs.

We can't discuss the odds. The matches are played. It won't be easy, it will be a tense atmosphere. We already have an experience with Bosnia. Hospitality will be different. It's not bad luck, we'll see match by match. I don't care, for now we are playing Turkey.

I can't compare the players, they are on another level now. It will be a good match. I hope my team will be at a high level”, said Mircea Lucescu, in Zurich, live at the Digi Sport League, via We Love Sport.

The 2026 World Cup qualifier

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries for the first time: the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

So far, 42 of the 48 national teams that will start at the World Cup have secured their tickets for the final tournament. However, there are still six places up for grabs, which will be decided after the European and intercontinental hurdles, where the tension will be at its highest.

• CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean): USA, Canada, Mexico, officially qualified, as host teams, Panama, Curacao and Haiti (6)
• AFC (Asia): Australia, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (8)
• OFC (Oceania): New Zealand (1)
• CONMEBOL (South America): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay (6)
• CAF (Africa): Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, South Africa, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire (9)
• UEFA (Europe): England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland (12)

The draw for the 2026 World Cup groups is scheduled for December 5, in Washington, from 19:00.