Hungary vs Finland Friendly Match Preview: World Cup Qualification Struggles and Squad Updates Just under a week after hosting the Champions League final, the Puskas Arena in Budapest will stage a friendly fixture between Hungary and Finland on Friday evening. This match marks the first encounter between the two nations in eight years, with both teams having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following their UEFA qualifying campaigns. The game will serve as a chance for both squads to assess their form ahead of future international competitions. Hungary, the 1938 and 1954 World Cup runners-up, have not qualified for the tournament since 1986, extending their absence to four decades. The Magyars narrowly missed out on a playoff spot in the 2026 qualifiers, finishing second in their group behind Portugal. Their final group match against the Republic of Ireland ended in a 3-2 home defeat after conceding two late goals, including a last-minute strike in the 96th minute. Despite reports of head coach Marco Rossi considering resignation following the heartbreak, the Hungarian Football Federation confirmed his continued tenure through 2030. Rossi, who has managed the national team since 2018, has overseen 85 matches (39 wins, 20 draws, 26 losses) and will aim to rebuild the squad’s confidence. Hungary’s recent friendly performances have been mixed, with a 1-0 win over Slovenia and a 0-0 draw against Greece in March. Ranked 42nd in the world by FIFA, the team faces Finland, a nation that has only claimed two victories in their last 11 meetings with Hungary. Finland, ranked 74th, has struggled in recent international fixtures, securing only five wins in their last 21 matches over nearly two years.#finland #hungary #puskas_arena #marco_rossi #jacob_friis
