Turkey vs Romania – News and Probable Lineups

Turkey will take on Romania at Besiktas Park in the European playoff semi-finals for the World Cup 2026, as they strive to secure a place in next Tuesday’s final.

The last time either team appeared in a World Cup was in 2002, highlighting the significance of Thursday’s encounter as they both aim to move closer to the prestigious tournament.

Match overview

When Turkey earned a bronze medal during their second World Cup run in 2002, it was widely unexpected that it would be quite some time before they returned to the finals.

This tournament in Asia marked the end of a 48-year wait for the European nation, underscoring how infrequently they have participated on the global stage.

While a spot at the 2026 finals is not yet assured, Ay-Yildizlilar are in a strong position to qualify under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella.

Their commendable qualifying campaign saw Turkey finish second behind group winners and current European champions Spain, ending up with 13 points, just three behind the leaders of Group E.

Among the teams that played six matches during qualifying, that point total would have equaled the winners of Groups C and F, Scotland and Portugal, respectively, and surpassed all five runners-up in Groups A, B, C, D, and F.

While this showcases how strong the Crescent-Stars were in the qualification, it will count for little if the world’s 25th-ranked side cannot overcome Romania on Thursday, and potential challenges from Slovakia or Kosovo.

Standing in their path are Romania, who have a longer wait for a World Cup appearance than Turkey, with Mircea Lucescu aiming to end the nation’s 28-year absence.

Having reached the tournament every time during the 1990s and making it to the knockout rounds on each occasion, the Tricolours have not participated in the competition since falling to Croatia in the 1998 round of 16.

Romania has been unsuccessful in two prior playoff attempts, in 2002 and 2014, but they hope that it might be third time lucky.

Despite their aspirations, the 1994 World Cup quarter-finalists must make significant strides from their third-place finish in Group H, where they were six points behind Austria and four points adrift of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They advanced to the playoffs thanks to a solid, unbeaten Nations League campaign, and the world’s 49th-ranked team now seeks to overcome higher-ranked adversaries to set up a final against Slovakia or Kosovo, the latter of whom they defeated twice in the Nations League.

Team News

Despite conceding 10 of Turkey’s 12 goals during qualifying, Ugurcan Cakir is expected to retain his role as the starting goalkeeper for the hosts.

While Hakan Calhanoglu will be tasked with controlling play from midfield and set pieces, the attacking responsibilities will rest on Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, and likely Kerem Akturkoglu, who netted a combined six goals in qualifying.

Romania’s top scorers during qualifying—Ianis Hagi, Florin Tanase, and Dennis Man—also scored six goals collectively, and they will be looking to make a decisive impact once again on Thursday.

Daniel Birligea also possesses match-winning potential despite only managing one goal in World Cup qualifying, with the forward, who has seven goals at club level, aiming to bring his impactful moments to the national stage.

Nicusor Bancu was particularly influential in qualifying, creating five clear scoring opportunities, and the veteran left-back will strive to have a similar effect with his attacking runs.

Turkey probable starting XI:

Cakir; Celik, Akaydin, Demiral, Kadioglu; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Aydin, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu

Romania probable starting XI:

Radu; Ratiu, Burca, Ghita, Bancu; Tanase, Screciu, Dragomir; Man, Birligea, Hagi

As the outcome hinges heavily on a single match, both teams may exercise caution for extended periods, with neither side eager to make the initial error.

A tightly contested fixture could be decided by a singular moment of brilliance, with Turkey favored to progress.