Florin Prunea optimistic about Romania's World Cup future under Gică Hagi

Florin Prunea is confident that Romania will qualify for the 2030 World Cup, a belief fueled by the recent changes made by new national team coach, Gică Hagi. After a challenging period that included failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Prunea sees a renewed energy within the team.

Hagi, who recently took over from Mircea Lucescu, has already made an impact, leading Romania to a 1-1 draw against Georgia and a 2-1 victory over Wales in his first two matches in charge. Prunea notes that there is a palpable difference in the team’s atmosphere, stating, "Parcă văd altceva în vestiarul echipei naţionale, sincer!"

The last time Romania participated in a World Cup was in 1998, where they performed commendably, winning their group before being eliminated in the knockout stage. Despite recent setbacks, such as a loss to Turkey in the qualification playoffs for the 2026 tournament, Prunea believes that Hagi's leadership could pave the way for a brighter future.

While Răzvan Burleanu has acknowledged the challenges ahead, including the prospect of hosting a European Championship, Prunea's optimism remains steadfast. He firmly states, "După venirea lui Gică, eu cred cu tărie... sunt convins că vom merge la Mondial."

As the national team moves forward, fans are hopeful that Hagi's influence will translate into success on the international stage, reigniting the passion for Romanian football.