Romania is gearing up for an important match against San Marino, scheduled for November 18, 2025, at the Ilie Oană Stadium in Ploiești. This encounter is a significant part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to kick off at 21:45 local time. It marks Romania’s final fixture in the current qualification cycle.
Under the guidance of celebrated coach Mircea Lucescu, who is 80 years old, the team will be led by 27-year-old Dennis Man, selected as both the starting player and captain. His leadership will be crucial as Romania seeks to conclude their qualifiers on a high note.
The match will be officiated by Mohammad Al-Emara, a 33-year-old referee from Finland making his debut in World Cup qualifiers. Al-Emara, who was born in Saudi Arabia, will be supported by assistants Turkka Valjakka and Mika Lamppu, with Peiman Simani as the fourth official. The VAR duties will be handled by Italian referees Michael Fabbri and Federico La Penna.
In the lead-up to this important game, coach Lucescu has expressed concerns regarding officiating in recent matches, particularly pointing out missed penalty opportunities during their previous game against Bosnia. He emphasized a focus on performance and maintaining integrity on the field, despite the match having no impact on the ultimate standings in the qualifiers.
As Romania prepares to take on San Marino, the emphasis is placed on delivering a strong performance. With Dennis Man at the forefront as captain, the team’s objective is to wrap up the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on a positive note. Fans can catch the match live on Digi Sport 1 and through the Digi Sport app, looking forward to an exciting display of football.