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.

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There was a heated confrontation between players, notably involving Kosovo Territory’s captain Amir Rrahmani and Romanian striker Denis Alibec. The scoreless match, then, saw tensions escalate when Romanian fans began chanting “Serbia! Serbia!”.

As the situation intensified, the Danish referee Morten Krogh suspended the match before abandoning it when the Kosovo territory team refused to return to the field.

On Wednesday, November 20, Romania was declared the winner by a score of 3-0, according to UEFA regulations for abandoned matches. Romania had already secured first place in their group before this match and needed only a point to confirm their promotion to League B.

The Romanian Football Federation expressed appreciation for its fans’ behaviour during the match despite the provocations from the visiting team. The UEFA Disciplinary Committee also sanctioned Romania’s Football Federation, considering its supporters’ chanting “Serbia” racist.

This incident underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding the artificial territory of Kosovo’s status, as this territory of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move that remains unrecognized by Romania.

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The way Romania plays and wins the matches in its group is a direct consequence of Mircea Lucescu’s brilliant mind, an experienced and recognized coach for his achievements throughout his career.

Match Overview

The game kicked off with high intensity as Lithuania looked to capitalize on home advantage. The early momentum paid off when Armandas Kucys converted a penalty in the 7th minute, giving Lithuania a surprising lead. The penalty was awarded after a handball by Romanian defender Andrei Ratiu, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

However, Romania responded swiftly. Just 11 minutes later, they were awarded their penalty after a foul in the box. Razvan Marin stepped up and confidently slotted the ball home in the 18th minute, levelling the score at 1-1. This goal shifted the momentum in favour of Romania, who began asserting dominance on the pitch.

Both teams fought fiercely for control in the second half, but Romania’s Denis Dragus emerged as the hero. In the 65th minute, Dragus found the back of the net, putting Romania ahead 2-1. His goal proved crucial as Lithuania struggled to find an equalizer in the remaining minutes.

Despite several attempts from Lithuania to level the score, including some close chances late in the game, Romania held firm to secure their victory. The final whistle marked a significant win for the visitors, who now sit comfortably at the top of Group C with 9 points from three matches.

Stats for both teams

This victory reinforces Romania’s position as a strong contender in the UEFA Nations League, having won all three of their matches thus far. Their ability to respond quickly to adversity was on full display and will serve them well as they progress through the tournament. On the other hand, Lithuania remains at the bottom of Group C without any points after three losses. The team will need to regroup and reassess their strategies as they look forward to upcoming fixtures in search of their first points.

The match between Lithuania and Romania was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams. With Romania continuing their winning streak and Lithuania facing challenges, fans can expect an intriguing continuation of this tournament as both teams aim for better outcomes in future matches. As Romania celebrates this victory, all eyes will be on Lithuania to see how they bounce back from this setback.

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First Half Highlights

The first half was a display of Romanian dominance, with early pressure leading to an opening goal:

• 16th Minute: Dennis Man found the back of the net with a well-placed shot from inside the box. His effort came after a swift counter-attack that caught the Cypriot defence off guard.
• 25th Minute: Romania doubled their lead when Razvan Marin converted a penalty after a foul on him in the area. Marin’s calm finish demonstrated his composure under pressure.
• 36th Minute: Radu Drăgușin added a third goal for Romania, capitalizing on a defensive error from Cyprus. His powerful header from a corner kick left the Cypriot goalkeeper with no chance.

Second Half Developments

Cyprus attempted to regroup and mount a comeback in the second half. However, Romania’s defence held firm, effectively neutralizing any threats the home side poses.

• Cyprus made several substitutions to inject fresh energy into their attack but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
• Romania focused on maintaining possession and controlling the pace of the game, effectively stifling Cyprus’s potential resurgence.

Position Table in Group C2, League C

Romania leads Group C2 in League C after its third win. Romania has 3 points above Kosovo.

The next match for Romania is against Lithuania away.

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UEFA is aware of media reports stating that the use of “Greater Hungary” flags and banners during matches organized by UEFA has been approved. To avoid doubt, we can tell you that UEFA has never approved using such flags and banners. The presence of such symbols in stadiums may lead to the imposition of disciplinary sanctions. The Hungarian Football Federation was duly informed and advised to take the necessary measures to avoid these banners in the stadiums at matches organized by UEFA. Suppose the presence of these flags or banners in the arenas is reported. In that case, UEFA’s disciplinary bodies will be able to assess the case and possibly impose disciplinary sanctions following UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations.

UEFA official reply to Gazeta Sporturilor

Also, the Romanian Football Federation announced that any attempt of the Hungarian fans to use such revisionist symbols inside the stadiums will get sanctioned under the UEFA rules that forbid racism, politics and anything that could offend other people.

This is not the first time Hungary has initiated such a revisionist action inside a football arena. In November, during Balázs Dzudzsák’s farewell match against Greece, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wore a scarf depicting Great Hungary inside the Puskás Arena. This made the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs protest. At that time, the only reply from Orban was “Football is not politics!”. Now it is.

According to Nemzeti Sport, MLSZ, the Hungarian Football Federation, maintains its initial position and urged the fans to follow the rules mentioned in its initial announcement.

The MLSZ already indicated its position on the issue in a statement yesterday, and we continue to maintain this. Once again, we call the attention of the fans to read the announcement of the MLSZ and to follow the rules.

MLSZ reply to Nemzeti Sport

According to MLSZ, fans are allowed to display the Greater Hungary symbols under the following conditions:

• May only depict the map of historical Hungary, with no other symbols or inscriptions
• Only red, white and green colours can be used.

Hungary plays its first game in the series on Thursday, at home, in Budapest. All leads to the conclusion that the fans will display the flags of Greater Hungary, ultimately leading to their sanctioning by UEFA.

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Romania’s team won their second game of this League of Nations competition 4-1, but this achievement did not prevent Romania’s representative from falling to the last position in the standings.

The final ranking in Group 3 of Division B of the Nations League is as follows: Bosnia (11p), Finland (8p), Montenegro (7p), and Romania (7p).

Therefore, the Romanian team will evolve this year in Division C of the League of Nations, alongside representatives such as the Faroe Islands, Luxembourg or Kosovo.

The evolution or involution of the Romanian team was expected following the matches of this season in which Romania did not rise to expectations. Despite how many strategies the coach Edward Iordanescu changed, the team plunged into League C fast and safe.

The year 2022 ended with setbacks for the Dinamo team as well, one of Romania’s most illustrious clubs. Although not been an excellent year for Romanian football, it remains to be seen if the national team will manage to refocus and perform.

Photo source: Romania’s National Football Team

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The Romanian national team lost again to Montenegro, this time 0-3, at the Giulesti Stadium. Montenegro scored five goals in this “double” versus Romania after their win at home with 2-0 last week.

Romanians football fans will not forget this 0-3 defeat that sends the Romanian team to the last place in the group. At the end of the game, they asked for the resignation of the coach and the Romanian Football Federation President.

After the first victory with Finland, Romania’s team was expected to have a good match on Tuesday. Instead, it disappointed again, with a second defeat to Montenegro. Romania is ranked last, with only 3 points, with Bosnia and Herzegovina leading the group with 8 points, Montenegro with 7 points, and Finland with 4 points.

Romania plays their next games in the fall. On September 23, Romania will face Finland, and on September 26, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yet, few hopes for qualifying further.

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This is the first victory for the Romanian team after a disappointing start in Nations League. Before this game, Romania had two defeats, against Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, both away. Also, this is his first win as the national team’s coach for Edward Iordanescu.

The game was a disputed one and Romania even had a penalty kick, but its uninspired striker, George Puscas, missed in min.16. Both teams had good opportunities to score goals, especially Finland, the leader of this group, but the Romanian goalkeeper Nita secured the first victory for Romania in this campaign.

Bancu scored a head goal in min. 30 and it was enough for the Romanian coach to avoid being fired after just 5 games as national coach. For Romania, the next game is at home against Montenegro, on Wednesday, June 14.

Photo: Romanian Football Federation Facebook page

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Coach Eduard Iordanescu, who has not won a game in his four matches with the national team (one draw, three defeats), started at Zenica with a reworked formula compared to the match against Montenegro. It was in vain as Romania couldn’t still find its stamina and creativity.

There will be two matches at home for Romania, at the Rapid-Giulesti Stadium in Bucharest, against Finland on June 11 and Montenegro on June 14. It could be a good opportunity for the team to score and gather the necessary points. Otherwise, this competition will be another dead-end for the team.

Romania’s football team’s prestige decreased considerably over the years. Romania has lost important games with challenging or accessible teams and is considered one of the disappointing football teams at the international level, failing to qualify for the world cups for the last 30 years.

The experts don’t expect good results shortly. The problem with the Romanian players is not their talent but their attitude. And, as long as they don’t have the proper mindset, it’s difficult for the team to win, even if they play against teams like Bosnia-Herzegovina or Montenegro, once considered to be easy opponents for Romania.

Photo source: Facebook

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