Romania has mathematically qualified for the playoff for the 2026 World Cup

France, the world runner-up, secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday evening, defeating Ukraine 4-0 at the 'Parc des Princes' stadium. Kylian Mbappé was once again the protagonist, scoring two goals and providing an assist. This victory has a positive impact on Romania, which is now mathematically qualified for the playoff stage of the World Cup, thanks to its performance in the Nations League.

The objective of the Romanian team, coached by Mircea Lucescu, is to finish in second place in the qualifying group, which would ensure a more accessible playoff. Currently, Romania is in the 3rd pot, alongside teams like Slovakia and Albania, which could lead to difficult matchups in the semifinals. The playoff format includes semifinals and a final, and teams from the top two pots benefit from the home advantage. If Romania manages to advance to the 2nd pot, the semifinal could take place at home, increasing the chances of reaching the decisive match for qualification to the World Cup.