The Romanian national team suffered a defeat in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff. The team of former Shakhtar and Dynamo coach Mircea Lucescu narrowly lost to Turkey — 0:1.
Lucescu took charge of the Romanian national team in August 2024. Under the leadership of the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv coach, the team finished third in the World Cup qualifying group.
But Romania managed to reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs thanks to a victory in their Nations League group. Lucescu, even before the end of the qualifying group stage, stated that he was ready to step down if the team did not qualify for the World Cup.
The coach's contract with the national team runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup – if it is not extended, Lucescu will have played his last official match in charge of Romania. The team also has a friendly match against Georgia on Wednesday, April 1.