How to Watch Turkey vs Romania: Kick-off Time, TV Channels and Live Stream Guide
Turkey and Romania meet tonight in a single-leg UEFA Play-Off semi-final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One game. No second chance. The winner advances to the Path C Final on March 31. The loser goes home.
Turkey have not been at a World Cup since 2002. Romania’s last appearance was 1998. Tonight is their clearest shot at ending those droughts in a generation.
This guide has every kick-off time, confirmed TV channel and free streaming option you need.
Here are the key match details at a glance:
- Competition: 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoff Semi-Final (Path C)
- Date: Thursday March 26 2026
- Kick-off: 5:00 PM GMT / 1:00 PM ET / 17:00 UTC / 6:00 PM CET
- Venue: Vodafone Park (Tüpraş Stadyumu), Istanbul, Turkey
- Capacity: 42,684
- Format: Single-leg knockout
- Winner Plays: Slovakia or Kosovo, March 31
- Turkey FIFA Ranking: 25th
- Romania FIFA Ranking: 47th
For the full UEFA Playoff schedule covering all four paths, see our complete 2026 World Cup Playoff guide.
What Time is Turkey vs Romania?
This is the earliest kick-off of all eight UEFA semi-finals on March 26. Most other ties start at 7:45 PM GMT. Turkey vs Romania kicks off at 5:00 PM GMT / 6:00 PM CET, nearly three hours earlier. Check your country below.
| Country | Local Kick-off Time |
|---|---|
| Turkey (Istanbul) | 8:00 PM (TRT) |
| Romania (Bucharest) | 7:00 PM (EET) |
| United Kingdom | 5:00 PM (GMT) |
| Germany / France / Netherlands | 6:00 PM (CET) |
| USA (Eastern) | 1:00 PM (ET) |
| USA (Central) | 12:00 PM (CT) |
| USA (Pacific) | 10:00 AM (PT) |
| Canada (Eastern) | 1:00 PM (ET) |
| UAE / Dubai | 9:00 PM (GST) |
| Australia (Sydney) | 4:00 AM Fri Mar 27 (AEDT) |
What Channel is Turkey vs Romania on Tonight?
The match is on FOX and FS1 in the US, Amazon Prime Video PPV in the UK, TRT 1 in Turkey and Antena 1 or Prima TV in Romania.
| Country / Region | TV Channel | Type |
|---|---|---|
| USA (English) | FOX / FS1 | Subscription |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo / Universo | Subscription |
| United Kingdom | Amazon Prime Video | PPV (£2.49) |
| Turkey | TRT 1 | Free-to-Air |
| Romania | Antena 1 / Prima TV | Free-to-Air |
| Canada | TSN / CTV | Subscription / Free |
| Australia | SBS / SBS Viceland | Free-to-Air |
| Germany | ARD / ZDF / Magenta Sport | Free + Subscription |
| France | M6 / beIN Sports | Free + Subscription |
| MENA Region | beIN Sports MENA | Subscription |
| Global | UEFA.tv | Free |
How to Watch Turkey vs Romania Live Online
USA: FOX One App / FOX Sports App Stream in 4K with a TV provider login on the FOX One app or FOX Sports app. Both are free to download on iOS, Android, smart TVs and Fire Stick. Spanish viewers stream on Peacock with a Premium subscription.
Note: FuboTV lost Telemundo access in November 2025 due to a carriage dispute. Spanish-speaking FuboTV users should switch to Peacock for tonight.
UK: Amazon Prime Video Purchase the PPV for £2.49 directly on the Amazon Prime Video website or app. No Prime subscription is needed. Anyone can buy it. Works on mobile, tablet, laptop, smart TVs and streaming sticks. Buy it before 5:00 PM GMT to avoid missing kick-off.
Turkey: Tabii The official TRT streaming app. Free to download and use on iOS and Android. No account payment required.
Romania: Antena Play / Prima Online Antena Play streams Antena 1 live. Prima Online streams Prima TV live. Both apps are free to download on iOS and Android and work on desktop browsers.
Australia: SBS On Demand Completely free with no subscription needed. Download the SBS On Demand app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast or most smart TVs. Create a free SBS account to start watching.
Canada: TSN Plus Standalone streaming at $24.99 per month. CTV GO is free for existing cable subscribers with CTV in their package. Both work on iOS, Android and most smart TV platforms.
Global: UEFA.tv Free stream available in regions without a confirmed local broadcast partner. Check UEFA.tv before kick-off to see if your country has access tonight.
Can I Watch Turkey vs Romania for Free?
Yes. It depends on where you are.
Turkey and Romania fans get the best deal tonight. TRT 1 in Turkey and Antena 1 or Prima TV in Romania are both fully free-to-air. Tabii, Antena Play and Prima Online all stream free online with a free account.
Australia is also free. SBS and SBS Viceland carry the match on TV and SBS On Demand streams it free with no subscription needed.
US viewers have no free live option tonight. English viewers need a FOX or FS1 subscription or a live TV streaming service. Spanish viewers need Peacock Premium. YouTube TV and FuboTV both offer free trials for new users which give legal access to the FOX broadcast at no cost.
UK viewers can watch for just £2.49 on Amazon Prime Video PPV. No Prime subscription is required. It is not free but it is low cost and open to anyone.
In Canada viewers with CTV in their cable package watch free through CTV GO. TSN requires a subscription.
Everywhere else check UEFA.tv and the FIFA+ app. Free or low-cost access may be available in your country.
Who Will Win Turkey vs Romania Tonight?
Turkey are the favourites at home. Romania are the underdogs but they arrive with reasons to believe.
Turkey’s case
Vincenzo Montella’s side scored 17 goals across 6 qualifying matches and held Spain to a 2-2 draw on the final matchday. Hakan Calhanoglu controls midfield. Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz lead the attack. Turkey scored in every qualifying fixture and averaged 2.83 goals per game. They have also won 5 of their last 6 home internationals.
Romania’s case
Mircea Lucescu is one of the most experienced managers in European football at 80 years old. Romania are organised and dangerous on the counter through Ianis Hagi and Nicolae Stanciu. Their big problem is the goalkeeper situation. Ionut Radu picked up a calf injury at Celta Vigo and is out. Popescu of Craiova steps in. He has never played a senior international. Radu kept 10 clean sheets in 39 appearances for Celta this season. That is a big loss at the worst possible time.
Head-to-head record
26 meetings all-time. Romania lead the series with 14 wins. Turkey have won 5. Seven matches ended in a draw. Their first meeting was in October 1923, which was also Turkey’s very first international match.
Prediction
Data models give Turkey a 51% win probability against Romania’s 25% with a 24% draw chance. The most predicted scoreline is Turkey 2-1 Romania.
Turkey vs Romania FAQs
Here are the most common questions fans are asking about tonight’s match.
Can I watch Turkey vs Romania for free in the USA?
No free live option exists for US viewers tonight. English viewers need a FOX or FS1 subscription or a live TV streaming service. Spanish viewers need Peacock Premium. YouTube TV and FuboTV both offer free trials for new users which give legal access to the FOX broadcast at no cost.
Why does this match kick off earlier than all other UEFA semi-finals on March 26?
All seven other semi-finals that night start at 7:45 PM GMT. Turkey vs Romania is the only exception at 5:00 PM GMT. UEFA confirmed the times in November 2025. It comes down to TV scheduling. Not every broadcaster can cover two matches at the same time.
Which World Cup group does the Path C winner enter?
The Path C winner enters Group D of the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States, Paraguay and Australia. The team that wins tonight faces host nation USA at the tournament this summer.
Where can I watch Turkey vs Romania highlights after the match?
UEFA.tv and the UEFA YouTube channel are the quickest places to check after the final whistle. US viewers get full replays on the FOX Sports app and website. UK viewers find them on Amazon Prime Video. FIFA+ also carries clips and post-match content.
How did Turkey and Romania each qualify for these playoffs?
Turkey finished as runners-up in Group E behind Spain. Romania qualified through the UEFA Nations League as one of four group winners that did not finish in the top two of their qualifying group.
What is Turkey’s last World Cup appearance and why does tonight matter so much?
Turkey last appeared at a World Cup in 2002 where they finished third in South Korea and Japan. That is 24 years without World Cup football. A win tonight ends that wait. Defeat means at least another four years on the outside.
Kick-off is at 5:00 PM GMT tonight. That is nearly three hours earlier than every other UEFA tie this evening so do not get caught out. Find your stream above and be ready at Vodafone Park. If Turkey or Romania make it through the Path C Final is on March 31 at 7:45 PM GMT.
