Romania’s Lucescu unveils the final squad for Moldova friendly and Austria qualifier
The Romania national team, led by manager Mircea Lucescu, has announced its final squad for a busy October window. The program kicks off with a friendly against Moldova on Thursday evening in Bucharest, followed by a World Cup 2026 qualifier against Austria on Sunday. The selections arrive amid injuries to captain Nicolae Stanciu and striker Denis Drăguș, with Alexandru Mitriță withdrawing from the squad.
Ionuț Radu has been brought back between the posts, taking the place of Horațiu Moldovan, who now sits as a reserve at Oviedo. The goalkeeper shift reflects Radu’s strong club form with Celta Vigo and Lucescu’s preference for a tried-and-tested shot-stopper, even as Moldova looms as a test ahead of a high-stakes qualifier.
The final squad: who’s in and who’s out
Lucescu’s list includes a mix of seasoned internationals and rising talents. The goalkeeper corps features Ionuț Radu (recalled to the squad), Ștefan Târnovanu, and Răzvan Sava. In defense, the back line brings a blend of experience and youth, with Andrei Rățiu, Cristian Manea, Andrei Burcă, Virgil Ghită, Bogdan Racovițan, Mihai Popescu, Lisav Eissat, Alexandru Chișiu, Raul Opreț, and Kevin Ciubotaru stepping forward.
Three notable surprises
The selection includes three standout surprises that have generated discussion across Romanian football circles:
- Catalin Cîrjan – a Dinamo captain who already has 12 appearances, two goals and three assists this season, earns a first call-up. Several veteran observers, including Ionel Ganea, have argued he deserves a place in the squad.
- Kevin Ciubotaru – the 21-year-old left-back from Hermannstadt has caught Lucescu’s eye with his performances in the current campaign (10 appearances so far). His rise has also drawn attention from big-spenders FCSB.
- Lisav Naif Eissat – the 20-year-old central defender from Maccabi Haifa makes his debut for Romania. He has dual Romanian-Israeli citizenship and has already featured seven times for Maccabi Haifa this season.
Additional squad members span the usual mix of domestic and international experience, including veterans and younger players who’ve shown sparks at club level. The forwards list features Louis Munteanu, Daniel Burlighea, and David Miculescu, providing attacking options as Romania eyes both the Moldova friendly and the Austria clash.
Context: Moldova friendly and the Austria showdown
The Moldova friendly will be a landmark encounter, as it marks the first time the two neighbors meet in Bucharest as part of a UEFA window. The Romanian federation organized a broader festival-like program around the match, featuring fan zones and concerts, with live coverage on GSP.ro and Prima TV to reach a wide audience. Doors open at 18:00, and a pre-match concert by Guess Who and Zdob și Zdub is scheduled for 19:00, turning Arena Națională into a festival atmosphere before kick-off at 21:00.
Romania vs Austria: a crucial step in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers
One week after the Moldova test, the national team faces Austria in a crucial qualifying match. Austria enters as the group’s form side, and this fixture could define the path to the finals. In the June window, Austria won the first meeting 2-1, and Romania’s recent 2-2 draw in Cyprus has left the team trailing the leaders. After five matches, Romania sit on seven points (two wins, a draw, two defeats) and are five points adrift of Austria, who also hold a match in hand. The Oct 12 clash represents a pivotal moment in Lucescu’s bid to reboot the campaign and keep Romania in playoff contention.
What to watch for and expectations
Beyond the numbers, the October window will test Lucescu’s ability to integrate new faces into a familiar system and to manage a squad without two key attackers through injury. The inclusion of Ciubotaru and Eissat signals a willingness to lean on fresh defensive talent, while Cîrjan’s promotion adds a dynamic option in midfield that could unlock creativity on the ball. For fans, the Moldova game offers a chance to see new blood alongside established players, with Austria looming as the real proving ground for the squad’s cohesion and tactical flexibility.
In short, Romania’s October schedule promises both developmental opportunities and high-stakes drama as Lucescu reshapes the squad around emerging stars and a few bold surprises, all while chasing valuable results in pursuit of World Cup 2026 qualification.
