Turkey take on Romania in a Path C World Cup qualifier with both sides hoping to advance to the final against Slovakia or Kosovo.
Turkey finished just three points behind Group E winners Spain, having won four of their six matches, while Romania grabbed third spot in Group H, behind Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kickoff is set for 5:00pm on Thursday, and below you can find our match preview and best bets.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey -1 Handicap | 11/10 @ BOYLE Sports (47.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Turkey come into this on the back of a 2-2 draw with World Cup favourites Spain and four wins from five other Group E games, including a 6-1 victory over Bulgaria. Their attack features Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. Romania finished third in Group H but scored most of their goals in just two matches against San Marino. |
| Arda Guler to Score First | 11/2 @ William Hill (15.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Arda Guler has impressed in recent months under Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid, earning more game time and showing clear improvement. He has four goals and twelve assists in 44 club games this season and added one goal and three assists in Turkey’s World Cup qualifying. His current form makes him a key player for Montella to build the team around.. |
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Qualifying Form & Standings
Turkey’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign was a solid one, with the national team finishing second in UEFA Group E to book a place in the play‑offs. They were drawn alongside Spain, Georgia and Bulgaria, and secured a 2‑2 draw away to Spain in their final match, showing they could compete with elite sides. Turkey’s overall group performance was strong enough to see them advance, despite Spain topping the group.
As a result they progressed to the play‑off stage for the second consecutive World Cup qualifying cycle and are set to face Romania in a single‑leg play‑off semi‑final in March 2026 in Istanbul, with the winner moving on to a final for a chance to reach the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Their improvement in form, resilience in key matches and strong goal‑scoring displays underline an encouraging campaign ahead of the next stage.
Romania’s road through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in UEFA Group H was a mix of solid wins and tough defeats, ultimately leaving them in third place but still in contention via the play‑off route thanks to their Nations League ranking. Group H included Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and San Marino, with Austria topping the group and Bosnia finishing second.
Romania collected 13 points, scoring 19 goals and conceding 10 across eight matches, including big wins such as 7‑1 against San Marino and a 2‑0 victory over Cyprus. Their campaign also featured competitive performances against stronger sides, though they suffered narrow losses to Austria and Bosnia.
Turkey team news
Turkey’s squad for their World Cup 2026 qualifier against Romania on 26 March 2026 includes key players such as Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, with captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu leading the side. VfB Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor has confirmed his inclusion in the squad for the play‑off semi‑final. There have been some fitness concerns in training, with a couple of players missing sessions due to medical issues, but coach Vincenzo Montella still has a strong group to choose from as they aim to reach the play‑off final.
Romania team news
Romania have named a competitive squad for their World Cup 2026 play‑off semi‑final against Turkey on 26 March 2026, with head coach Mircea Lucescu set to lead his side in Istanbul. Key figures such as Ianis Hagi and Dennis Man are expected to play central roles after strong seasons for club and country. The team will be aiming to upset hosts Turkey and keep their World Cup hopes alive, with focus on both experience and attacking threat throughout the lineup.
Head-to-Head: Last 6 Meetings
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 09/11/17 | Romania 2-0 Turkey | Friendly |
| 10/09/13 | Romania 0-2 Turkey | World Cup |
| 12/10/12 | Turkey 0-1 Romania | World Cup |
| 11/08/10 | Turkey 2-0 Romania | Friendly |
| 22/08/07 | Romania 2-0 Turkey | Friendly |
| 15/02/95 | Turkey 1-1 Romania | Friendly |
Conclusion: Who advances to the final?
Turkey showed in the group stage that they are no pushover and we are confident of them getting the job done here and winning the game by two or more goals. Take the Turkey -1 match handicap at 11/10, or back Guler to score first at 11/2.
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