Romania vs. Wales: Friendly Match Set for June 6 Saturday, June 6, will see Wales travel to Bucharest to face Romania in a high-stakes international friendly at Stadionul Steaua. The encounter, scheduled for 6:45 p.m. BST (1:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. Romania time), marks the second friendly of the month for both teams. The match will be broadcast on BBC One Wales in the U.K., fuboTV/ViX in the U.S., and Antena 1/Prima TV in Romania, with live updates available via ESPN. The game carries significance as both nations prepare for future competitions. Wales narrowly missed out on the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina, while Romania fell to Türkiye in the UEFA playoff semifinal. The loss prompted the resignation of legendary coach Mircea Lucescu, who passed away on April 7 at age 80. His successor, Gheorghe Hagi, has since taken charge of the Romanian squad, aiming to build on a recent 1-1 draw against Georgia. Romania’s squad is in good shape, with Hagi fielding a fully fit team. However, several key players are sidelined, including Jordan James, Rubin Colwill, Mark Harris, and Liam Cullen. Hagi, a former Romania star, is experimenting with tactical changes ahead of Euro 2028, which will partly be hosted by Wales. His first match in charge saw a draw against Georgia, with D.C. United striker Louis Munteanu scoring the equalizer. Hagi’s son, Ianis, also contributed creatively, posing a threat to Wales’ defense. For Wales, the match offers an opportunity to address their lack of central striking options. The team has struggled with this issue, as evidenced by the inclusion of 33-year-old Kieffer Moore in their recent game against Ghana. Manager Craig Bellamy has relied on wide attackers like Daniel James, Harry Wilson, and Brennan Johnson but has sought a solution in the center.#romania #wales #gheorghe_hagi #stadionul_steaua #mircea_lucescu
Bellamy's Hagi Pain as Wales Boss Eyes Improvement Wales will face Romania for the first time since 1993, with the match set for Saturday in Bucharest. The encounter carries personal significance for Wales head coach Craig Bellamy, who recalls the heartbreak of Romania ending Wales' hopes of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. At 14 years old, Bellamy watched Romania defeat Wales twice in World Cup qualifying, with Gheorghe Hagi scoring three of Romania's seven goals across the two matches. Hagi, now coaching Romania, will face Bellamy's side for the first time in his second managerial stint with the team. Bellamy described Hagi as an "incredible talent" and acknowledged the lasting impact of the 1994 campaign. He recounted watching Romania's 5-1 victory in Bucharest in 1992-93, noting that Hagi's goal in that match was "quite a lucky goal." Bellamy also mentioned the performance of Wales' goalkeeper, Neville Southall, who he said was "not his best moment at that time." The memory of that loss remains vivid for Bellamy, who emphasized the emotional weight of the upcoming match. Wales' recent performance in away friendlies has been poor, with the team winless in their past 16 matches since November 2008. The record is a point of frustration for Bellamy, who highlighted the need for improvement ahead of the Nations League A campaign. "Our friendlies are not great when you look at the records," he said, adding that the last away win was in 2008. The match against Romania represents an opportunity to end the summer on a positive note and build momentum for the Nations League, where Wales will face Portugal, Denmark, and Norway. Captain Ethan Ampadu emphasized the importance of the game as a final chance to refine preparations for the Nations League.#romania #wales #craig_bellamy #bucharest #gheorghe_hagi
