The upcoming matches for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers include Bosnia vs. San Marino on Saturday at 16:00 and Finland vs. the Netherlands at 21:45. Notably, the Romanian national team is set to face Austria, with head coach Mircea Lucescu naming Horațiu Moldovan and Vlad Chiricheș in the starting lineup.
Moldovan, 27, will replace Florin Niță in goal, despite being sidelined at Sassuolo and having only one previous appearance for Romania under Lucescu. Meanwhile, experienced defender Chiricheș, making his first start in three years, takes the place of Marius Marin in midfield. This unexpected lineup decision reflects Lucescu’s strategy to revitalize the team after their rocky start in the qualifiers, with a loss to Bosnia and a win against San Marino.
The match against Austria is critical for Romania, which hasn’t qualified for the World Cup since 1998. With Austria entering the match after a break in the qualifiers, the stakes are high; a defeat could jeopardize Romania’s chances of direct qualification. A draw would keep hopes alive, while a victory could significantly boost their campaign.
In their last five encounters, Romania has claimed one victory, but Austria has had two wins, along with two draws. The match promises to be engaging, as Romania aims to build on their recent success against San Marino while Austria seeks to kick off their qualification campaign strong.
Overall, the upcoming fixtures highlight the ongoing excitement in World Cup qualifying, with teams striving for their place in the prestigious tournament.