Qualifying Group H for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Austria, ROMANIA, Bosnia i Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino

The draw for the European qualifying groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup occurred in Zurich on December 13, 2024. Romania has been placed in Group H alongside Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino.

This group presents challenges and opportunities for the Romanian national team as they aim for a spot in the prestigious tournament set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Teams in Qualifying Group H for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Austria: The top-seeded team in the group, known for its competitive spirit and skilled players.

Romania: Aiming to leverage their experience and talent to secure qualification after the exceptional series of victories in the UEFA Nations League.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: A formidable opponent with a history of strong performances.

Cyprus: Typically seen as a less challenging opponent but can be unpredictable.

San Marino: Generally considered the weakest team in the group.

Qualification Format

The qualification process will unfold over several international breaks from March to November 2025. Each team will play home and away matches against every other team in their group. The team that finishes at the top of the group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed teams will enter a playoff round to compete for additional spots.

Match Schedule

The specific dates for the matches are set as follows:

• March 21-25, 2025
• June 6-10, 2025
• September 4-9, 2025
• October 9-14, 2025
• November 13-18, 2025

The playoff matches will occur from March 26 to March 31, 2026.

Context and Expectations

Romania’s coach, Mircea Lucescu, expressed optimism about the team’s chances in this group. The presence of Austria as a strong competitor will require Romania to perform at their best. Analysts believe that Romania has a good chance of advancing if they can secure wins against teams like Cyprus and San Marino while aiming for points against Bosnia and Austria.

This qualifying campaign is critical for Romania as they seek to return to the World Cup stage after missing out on previous tournaments. The competition within Group H is expected to be intense, with each match carrying significant weight in determining which teams advance to the World Cup.