26.03.2026 11:01
In the semi-final of the playoff round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, the Turkish National Football Team will play a crucial match against Romania. The match will take place this evening in Istanbul at Beşiktaş Park, starting at 20:00 and will be broadcast live on TV8. If the national team eliminates Romania, they will face the winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo match away on March 31. The team that wins this contest will secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Here are the possible line-ups...
The Turkish National Football Team is set to face Romania in a critical match in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers play-off round.
THE BIG MATCH IN ISTANBUL
The crescent-star team will host Romania in Istanbul on Thursday, March 26. The match, which will be played at Beşiktaş Park, is scheduled to start at 20:00 and will be broadcast live on TV8.
REFEREE FROM FRANCE
In this challenging match, the whistle will be blown by François Letexier from the French Football Federation. His assistants will be Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, while the fourth official will be Benoit Bastien.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Turkey is expected to take the field with the starting eleven of Uğurcan, Zeki, Samet, Abdülkerim, Ferdi, Hakan, Orkun, Yunus, Arda, Kenan, and Barış Alper.
Romania is anticipated to have Radu, Bancu, Ghita, Draguşin, Ratiu, Tanase, Screciu, Dragomir, Baiaram, Man, and Birligea on the pitch.
GOAL: WORLD CUP
If the national team eliminates Romania, they will face the winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo match away on March 31. The team that wins this match will secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
STATUS OF TWO PLAYERS UNCERTAIN
The situation of Merih Demiral and Zeki Çelik, who are experiencing pain, remains uncertain in the National Team. The final status of the two players will be clarified after the checks to be conducted. Aral Şimşir, who is injured, has been removed from the squad.