Article by Ovidiu Ioanițoaia – Published Sunday, March 22, 2026, 6:17 p.m. / Updated Sunday, March 22, 2026, 6:26 p.m.
Daily Sports Match is a fb account that deals, among other things, with the announcement of teams on the eve of important matches. He is rarely wrong, as evidenced by the fact that he has over 850,000 followers.
Looking at the Turkey-Romania match on March 26, crucial on the way to the 2026 World Cup, DSM anticipated that the Crescent national team will be Bayndir (Man Utd, 7 million euros) – Zeki Çelik (Roma, 12), Demiral (Al Ahli, 14), A. Bardakci (Galata 6.5), Kadioglu (Brighton, 30) – Calhanoglu (Inter, 22), Arda Güler (Real Madrid, 90), Kokcu (Beşiktaș, 25) – Alper Yilmaz (Galata, 26), Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahce, 22), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus, 75). With the mention that the figures in brackets represent the share in millions of euros of each footballer according to transfermarkt.com
Turkey's probable squad, according to Daily Sports Match
If the Italian Vincenzo Montella, from 2023 the “janissaries” coach, will send the above lineup to the field, then the Turkish team would be worth 4 times and something more than Romania's in its probable version: Radu (8 million) – Rațiu (18), Drăgușin (20), Burcă (1.8), Bancu (1) – R. Marin (3.5), Dragomir (2), I. Hagi (1.8) – Man (13), Bîrligea (4.5), Mihăilă (2.8).
It is possible, however, that after taking note of Drăguș's suspension and several injuries (M. Popa, Alibec, Chipciu, M. Marin, L. Munteanu), Mircea Lucescu will line up a different formation in Istanbul than the one above.
Clearly, however, any comparison regarding the value of the two representatives is favorable to our opponent. If only because, simplifying to the maximum, Kenan Yildiz is rated as much as all 11 “tricolors” taken together, and Arda Guler alone is worth even more! This is what I also took into account when, in Alex Barbu's morning show on GSP.ro, I said that Turkey starts from pole position in the March 26 duel, that it has an extra chance.
The statement disturbed some and outraged others. More jokingly, more seriously, a good friend even accused me of lack of patriotism! He asked me to look in the bulletin to find out if my name was Ali or Mehmet!
Odds are obviously not playing and quite a few small logs have been seen overturning large carts. Who would have imagined, to cite one example here, that Metaloglobus, the “red lantern” of the Superliga, would ever manage to defeat FCSB, the reigning champion?! And yet it happened, unbelievable, right?
As such, I do not take back my words and repeat that, however we judge, Turkey leaves as the favorite. Whether it's because she's playing at her home, in front of an audience famous for the passion with which she supports her national team. Encouraging her frantically, furiously.
Unfortunately, a poorly thought-out regulation, because it is not logical that a huge stake like qualifying for the WC should be decided in a single leg, without return, favors the Ottomans. This is not okay. In the current FIFA ranking, Turkey ranks 25th and Romania 49th, why give an extra advantage to the better ranked team?! So that a regulation, good or bad, even bad in this situation, must be respected.
Mircea Lucescu / PHOTO: Imago
Despite the difficulties encountered, some related to his own health, Mircea Lucescu remains optimistic. A fighter like him believes to the end and never accepts the idea of defeat. Never, never. So let's walk on his hand, maybe for the last time, let's keep our fists clenched for him and the “tricolors”, let's shout Come on, Romania! Let's understand that being lucid, down to earth, does not mean being unpatriotic. No, no way!
