Our National Football Team, which came second in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group E with 13 points, is waiting for its opponent in the play-off semi-finals. Türkiye will be paired with Northern Ireland, Sweden, Romania or North Macedonia in the draw to be held on Thursday, November 20 at 15.00, and will face its opponent in March.
A statement came from Romania, one of the possible rivals of our National Team. Gheorghe Popescu, one of the legends of Romanian football and Galatasaray, announced that he wants Türkiye and Romania to match.
“NOW Türkiye TO SEE I WANT”
Popescu said, “I want our opponent to be Türkiye. I want to see Türkiye’s current level. We were far ahead of Türkiye in the 90s, and I want to see it now.”
“LUCESCU’S 2 ADVANTAGE “YES”
Additionally, we continue our journey with Romanian National Team Coach Mircea Lucescu. to be should also indicating Popescu said, “Lucescu has two advantages. First, experience. Second, he loves the national team very much.”
❝I WANT OUR COMPETITION IN PLAY OFF TO BE Türkiye!❞ 🇷🇴 Gheorghe Popescu: We were far ahead of Türkiye in the 90s, I would like to see their current level. I want Türkiye to be our opponent in the play-offs. pic.twitter.com/7k58hECHJs
— A Spor (@aspor) November 20, 2025