Romania U18 prepares for international debut at the 2026 U17 World Cup

Romania's U18 national team is gearing up for an exciting journey, participating in the Four Nations Tournament in Portugal from September 29 to October 5. This marks a significant milestone, as Romania will also be making its first appearance at the U17 World Cup in Qatar in 2026.

Under the guidance of head coach Mircea Diaconescu, the Romanian squad consists of talented juniors born on or after January 1, 2009. The team's first match in Portugal will take place on September 29 at 1:00 PM against Turkey at the Estadio Municipal de Lousada.

Following their opening match, the U18 squad will face Portugal on October 2 at 7:15 PM, hosted at the Estadio Municipal das Laranjeiras. Their last match in the tournament is scheduled for October 5 at 7:00 PM against Uzbekistan, returning to Estadio Municipal de Lousada.

The roster includes promising players from various clubs. Goalkeepers include Tudor Coșa from Universitatea Cluj, Victor Kroes from Real Betis, and Yanis Croitor from Standard Liege. The defense features players like Cosmin Matei (CFR Cluj), Erik Mănăilă (FC Rapid), and Daniele Paul from AS Roma.

In the midfield, Daniel Motîntău and Denys-Ioan Muntean both represent Universitatea Craiova, while forwards include Răzvan Marincean from Farul Constanța and Eduardo Bodnar from Universitatea Cluj. This diverse talent pool reflects the growing strength of Romanian football.

Looking ahead, Romania's participation in the U17 World Cup will commence on November 21, 2026, with their first match against Mexico at Aspire Zone, Teren 8. The team will also face Venezuela and Cameroon in the group stage, showcasing their skills on an international platform, a thrilling opportunity for these young athletes.