The History of Romania’s Participation in the World Cup

Another look at Romania's participation in the World Cup competitions

Florin Orban, 17.06.2026, 13:45

For the ’94 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the U.S., the Romanians were already hoping to surpass their performance in Italy. The campaign began with Cornel Dinu as head coach, but he was fired after a humiliating 2–5 loss in Kosice against the Czechoslovakian national team. Anghel Iordănescu then took over and got things back on track. Romania won its group, tied on points with Belgium.

In the United States, their first opponent was Colombia, the best team in South American soccer at the time. With Răducioiu in top form—scoring two goals—Romania won 3–1. The final goal was scored by Hagi with a 30-meter lob over the Colombian goalkeeper—a strike that went down as one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history.

Once again, the overwhelming joy was followed by a rude awakening: a 1-4 loss to Switzerland. Next up was the match against the hosts, the United States, a team riding high on confidence. But skill prevailed, thanks to a goal by Dan Petrescu, and the Romanians advanced once again to the round of 16. Their opponent was Argentina, this time without Maradona—who was suspended for doping—but with Simeone, Batistuta, and Ortega on the field. It was Ilie Dumitrescu’s game, as he scored two goals. Romania won 3–2 and knocked Argentina out of the World Cup for the second time in a row.

In the quarterfinals, the Romanians were once again eliminated in a penalty shootout, this time by Sweden, and missed the opportunity to face Brazil in the semi-finals.

With Iordănescu still at the helm, the team also embarked on the campaign for the 1998 World Cup in France. The qualifying group was easy, with Macedonia and Ireland being the only notable opponents, so the Romanian national team made it to France without any problems.  The unpleasant surprise came with the group draw there. We were facing Colombia again after four years and England after 28 years, but this time as top seeds. Our other opponent was Tunisia. Once again, we beat the “tough” teams (1–0 against Colombia and 2–1 against England) and managed only a draw against the Tunisians. That was enough, however, to qualify for the round of 16, where we faced Croatia, an extremely ambitious team that, without playing brilliantly, defeated us 1-0 on a penalty awarded far too easily. The former Yugoslavs went on to reach the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by France. That was Romania’s last appearance in a World Cup. (MI)