Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Friday, November 21, 2025, 7:34 p.m. / Updated Friday, November 21, 2025, 7:35 p.m.
Romania has found out the opponent it will face in the qualifying round for the 2026 World Championship. The “Tricolors” will go to Turkey in March next year, where they will fight for a place in the final tournament in North America. If it prevails in this duel, the national team will play the final on the field of the winner between Slovakia and Kosovo. Francesco Clazona (57 years old), Slovakia's coach, spoke about a possible duel with Romania in the final of the qualifying play-off. He considers Romania a difficult opponent, with players performing in good European championships.
The match with Turkey will take place on March 26. In case of a qualification in the final of the pool, Romania will also play away, on March 31, either in Slovakia or in Kosovo.
Slovakia coach: “Romania has interesting players from teams in strong championships”
After Thursday's draw, Francesco Clazona spoke to the Slovak Football Federation about the opponents that will stand in the way of the national team. Slovakia will receive the visit of the team from Kosovo on March 26, in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In the event of a victory, the team led by Calzona will face the winner of Turkey and Romania on home soil.
Slovakia's coach considers Romania a difficult opponent, with good players playing in important championships in Europe. Radu Drăgușin, the defender of Tottenham, was one of the players that caught the attention of the Italian. It is worth noting that Calzona was also on the Slovakian bench in the match between the two national teams at the 2024 European Championship. 1-1 was the score in Germany, in the match that qualified both teams for the knockout stage of the tournament.
We met Romania at the European Championship and we know it a little better. It is a difficult opponent that has interesting players from teams in strong championships. Drăgușin is probably the best known, but there are also other excellent footballers, such as Man or Rațiu.
– Francesco Calzone
The Italian also analyzed the national teams of Kosovo and Turkey.
“Kosovo has a national team that is growing in terms of performance. In the World Cup qualifiers, Kosovo beat Sweden and Slovenia, and against Switzerland they drew at home. We have to take advantage of playing at home, even if the opponent will be a difficult one.
Turkey has a team with great potential. There are many talented young players, such as Arda Guler or Yildiz. Not to mention Calhanoglu, who is a world-class footballer. It's a very strong team”, said Francesco Calzona according to the website of the Slovak Football Federation.
If it passes Turkey, the national team will play the final on Tuesday 31st on the field of the winner between Slovakia and Kosovo.
Images from the duel between Slovakia and Romania from the 2024 European Championship, score 1-1.
