World Cup play-offs LIVE: Turkey and Romania goalless in cagey affair

Updated
Romania's Andrei Ratiu battles with Turkey's Kenan Yildiz
Romania's Andrei Ratiu battles with Turkey's Kenan YildizKemal Aslan / Reuters

The last chance for some of Europe's biggest nations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is here. Time for selection mistakes and slip-ups is over - it is win or miss out for another four years. It is decision time.

Today's highlights

• Turkey begin the play-off semi-finals in Istanbul against Romania with an exciting group of players holding the hopes of a nation on their backs, but Romania are a good side and won't be pushovers

• That is followed by the other seven matches, which include former winners Italy, who are looking to avoid missing out for a third consecutive World Cup and yet more national embarrassment when they host Northern Ireland

• The other standout fixture is Czechia against the Republic of Ireland - can Troy Parrott produce more heroics for the visitors, or will the hosts and favourites go through?

All the play-off semi-final fixtures 

Turkey 0-0 Romania - HT

Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland - 20:45 CET

Denmark vs North Macedonia - 20:45 CET 

Italy vs Northern Ireland - 20:45 CET

Poland vs Albania - 20:45 CET

Slovakia vs Kosovo - 20:45 CET

Ukraine vs Sweden - 20:45 CET

Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina - 20:45 CET

Key updates to keep you informed:

18:48 CET - No stoppage time at the end of the first half in Istanbul, which tells you all you need to know about a tense and tight affair between Turkey and Romania.

We have had no shots on target so far, whilst the hosts have bossed attention, their manager, Vincenzo Montella, will want them to turn that into clear-cut chances in the second period.

First half stats
First half statsFlashscore

18:34 CET - Turkey have had 70% possession over the last 15 minutes, and they are starting to create more opportunities. Arda Guler, their main man, has had a couple of shots, but neither have hit the target.

18:18 CET - With so much riding on today's games, it's no real surprise that it has been a cagey opening to Turkey against Romania. The first real glimpse of goal comes from a Hakan Calhanoglu free-kick, but the Inter man can't find the target.

18:03 CET - We are underway in Istanbul as Turkey and Romania are just 90 minutes away from earning a spot in a playoff final. 

Who will come out on top?

17:39 CET - Just more than 20 minutes until today's action gets underway and if you want to whet the appetite for the first game of the day, then we have you covered...

World Cup 2026: Turkey - Romania (video preview)
Flashscore

16:40 CET - Team news is just in for the first play-off clash in Istanbul and Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella has named an attacking side to take on Romania

Supporters were expecting Montella to play a 4-3-3 with three central midfielders, but instead he has gone with a 4-2-3-1 with Real Madrid star Arda Guler playing in the 10 role behind the striker.

Check out the full lineups below:

Starting lineups
Starting lineupsFlashscore

12:30 CET - Good afternoon and welcome to play-off semi-final day! It is a huge day for nations in Europe that have yet to book their plane for the United States this summer. Turkey and Romania get the action-packed evening started at 18:00 CET before the other seven games get underway at 20:45 CET

Turkey vs Romania recent head-to-head record
Turkey vs Romania recent head-to-head recordFlashscore

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