The Romania national under-21 football team, also known as Romania under-21s or Romania U21(s), is considered to be the feeder team for the Romania national football team.
This team is for Romanian players aged under 21 at the start of the calendar year in which a two-year UEFA European Under-21 Championship campaign begins, so some players can remain with the squad until the age of 23. As long as they are eligible, players can play for Romania at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side, and again for the U21s. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player has not played a senior competitive game in his previous country.)
History The U-21 team came into existence, following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions, in 1976. Romania qualified for the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and under Victor Pițurcă reached the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by the Netherlands. Romania had been 1–0 up, but were eventually beaten 2–1. The Romanian lineup included players like: Cosmin Contra, Bogdan Lobonț, Cătălin Munteanu, Ionel Dănciulescu and Ion Luțu.
Romania once again qualified unbeaten for the finals after topping their group in the qualifying series. The Romanians reached semi-final of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship for the first time in their history in the 2019 UEFA Under-21 Euro but eventually lost 4–2 to defending champions Germany who scored twice in the dying moments. Romania qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics for their first Olympics since 1964. Overall, Romania was a revelation at the tournament, beating both England and Croatia (4-2 and 4–1), and looked on course for a shock before Germany fought back to make the final.
Romania U21s do not have a permanent home. They play in stadia dotted all around Romania, in an attempt to encourage younger fans in all areas of the country to get behind Romania. Because of the lower demand compared to the senior national team, smaller grounds can be used.
Competitive record
UEFA U-21 Championship Record UEFA European Under-21 Championship Championship recordUEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification recordYearRound*1978did not qualify410358198042027319826213912198462138121986614157198863037719906303871992620459 199485031310 1996104421710 1998Quarter-finals3003258800184 2000did not qualify8332108 20028512135 2004821567 200610613178 2007210145 20098431113 201110811236 20138422116 201583321419 2017105141514 2019Semi-finals421110710730194 2021Group stage31203210622227 2023301204Qualified as hosts 2025300325107122310 2027did not qualifyTotal5/26163491723170943254291191
Olympic Games Football at the Summer Olympics was first played officially in 1908. The Olympiads between 1896 and 1980 was only open for amateur players. The 1984 and 1988 tournaments were open to players with no appearances in the FIFA World Cup. After the 1988 Olympics, the football event was changed into a tournament for U23 or U21 teams with a maximum of three older players. See Romania national football team for competition record from 1908 until 1988. Olympic Games recordOlympic Games Qualification record **YearRoundPosition * 1992did not qualify620459 1996104421710 20008332108 2004821567 2008210145 201210811236 201683321419 2020Group Stage11th311147149412911 2024did not qualify301204 2028to be determined000000
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. **Includes both qualification phase and final tournament of UEFA European Under-21 Championship. ***Gold background color indicates that the tournament was won. Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
EURO 2027
Results and fixtures The following is a list of matches in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled. Legend
2025
2026
Players
Current squad The following players were called up for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group A matches against Cyprus, Finland and Spain on 25 and 30 September and 6 October 2026 respectively.
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been called up to the senior team.
Caps and goals are correct as of 7 October 2026, after the match against Spain.
Recent call-ups
Players born in or after 2004 are eligible for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The following players have also been called up in the past to the Romania under-21 squad and remain eligible to play in the qualification matches for 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship:
Notes INJ = Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury SUS = Player is serving suspension WD = Player withdrew from the squad COV = Player withdrawn from the squad due to positive COVID-19 test Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the Senior team.
Coaching staff
RoleName Head coach Costin Curelea Assistant coaches Lucian Sânmartean Răzvan Rotaru Goalkeeping coach Răzvan Stanca Fitness Coach Daniel Ene Video Analyst Vlăduț Lakatoș Doctor Dan Costin Physioterapists Florin Dragne Mădălin Tălpălaru Masseur Vladimir Foia Kit man Ionuț Niculici
See also Romania national football team Romania Olympic football team
Footnotes
References
External links UEFA Under-21 website Contains full results archive The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation Contains full record of U-21/U-23 Championships. FRF.ro