Romania's national football team faced a disappointing start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, losing 1-0 to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the National Arena on March 21, 2025. The solitary goal of the match was scored by Armin Gigovic in the 14th minute, assisted by Sead Kolasinac. Despite several attempts, including a missed opportunity by Denis Drăguș in the 26th minute, the Romanian team could not find their rhythm.
The match saw an attendance of 49,413 spectators, all eagerly hoping for a successful season, especially since Romania had previously bested Bosnia in their last encounter in September 2022, when they won 4-1 in the Nations League. Head coach Mircea Lucescu had high expectations for the team's performance this time, and voiced his thoughts before the game, highlighting the significance of facing a team comprised of top league players.
“With Bosnia being an extremely important game, they have a team where every player plays abroad. Nine are even in Germany. We balance it with a very homogeneous group of players where it's very hard to make changes among them. The group's control, the public's support, and the atmosphere that is created around this team is the most important element,” Lucescu stated, showing his faith in the players.
The match began under intense pressure from Bosnia, which controlled the tempo early on. Demirovic had the first opportunity within just two minutes, showing their aggressive strategy right from the start. The breakthrough for Bosnia came quickly when Gigovic found the back of the net after a well-placed cross from Kolasinac.
In the 47th minute, Romania finally registered its first shot on target, with Răzvan Marin testing Bosnia's goalkeeper, Vasilj, but it was clear that the team struggled to impose itself throughout the first half. Drăguș had another close miss before halftime when he failed to connect properly with the ball from mere meters away, leaving fans disappointed.
The second half saw Romania trying to regain control, but their challenges continued. A potential handball by Tahirovic in the Bosnian box was reviewed with the help of VAR in the 55th minute, but referee Danny Makkelie decided against giving a penalty kick.
Despite mounting pressure, including a notable shot from Stanciu that was denied in the final minutes, the Romanian players could not capitalize on their chances. In the dying moments, Bazdar from Bosnia narrowly missed doubling the score, sending a clear message that the visitors were formidable in their counterattacks.
In the aftermath of the defeat, former Romanian international Gheorghe Popescu expressed his disappointment but also conveyed hope for the future. “This result is a cold shower that I hope we won't regret. We are all disappointed, but I’m surprised by how the game started. The Bosnians were much braver than us. However, I don’t believe we performed so poorly as to deserve to lose. We had chances,” he noted.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s head coach, Sergej Barbarez, can take pride in the performance of his team, showcasing an effective game plan that brought them a crucial win as they begin their own journey in the qualifiers. With this victory, Bosnia also sets a strong tone for their campaign while putting Romania in a challenging position as they look to regroup.
Moving forward, expectations are still high for Romania, especially with upcoming matches on the horizon, including a clash against San Marino on March 24. With the national team determined to turn their fortunes around, fans await how the players adapt and build from this initial setback.
The 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents not just a goal, but a potential revival for Romanian football, needing to qualify for a competition they last participated in back in 1998. The journey has just begun, and while the first step was bittersweet, it remains crucial for Romania to maintain its focus and momentum ahead.
