Romania's selector, Mircea Lucescu, was hospitalized due to a severe flu, less than two months before the playoff against Turkey for the World Cup.

Mircea Lucescu, the head coach of the Romanian national football team, is facing health issues and has been hospitalized at the University Hospital in Bucharest for a cardiological check-up. Although he started a course of antibiotics for a severe flu, his condition has not improved, which is why doctors have decided to keep him under observation. Lucescu's health problems began before New Year's, which prevented him from attending the training camps of the Romanian teams in Antalya. In the upcoming period, the head coach will undergo detailed tests to accurately identify the issues and find an appropriate treatment. Romania will play against Turkey on March 26, in the semi-final of the qualifying play-off for the 2026 World Cup, and a victory could lead to a final match against the winner between Slovakia and Kosovo. If Romania qualifies, they could play in Group D at the World Cup, alongside the USA, Australia, and Paraguay.