Georgia vs Romania 2 June 2026 Prediction

Neither team qualified for the upcoming World Cup, but both will use this match to refresh their connections on the field and possibly test new combinations. This game will mark Gheorghe Hagi’s return as Romania manager after almost 25 years, while Georgia will say goodbye to its captain, Guram Kashia.

Georgia Without Kvaratskhelia

The Crusaders landed in a difficult World Cup qualifying group and could not exceed expectations. They failed to seriously challenge Turkey for second place (2-3, 0-4), while their only points came in a home match against Bulgaria (3-0).

In the spring, the team played two friendlies against Israel (2-2) and Lithuania (2-0). Both games were fairly even, but in the second match the outcome was decided by the individual quality of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has already become a true icon of Georgian soccer. He will miss this match for a valid reason: too little time has passed since the Champions League final in which he played. That should make the opponent’s defensive task easier.

Another star will be available in attack, though: Georges Mikautadze. He has scored 10 goals in his last 14 appearances for the national team. Budu Zivzivadze, who finished the club season in good form, is expected to partner him up front. The right wing-back position looks problematic, as there is no natural option in the squad. However, Gizo Mamageishvili has already been tested there in friendlies and is likely to start again.

Romania Has Gone Through a Difficult Chapter

Romania also finished third in qualifying, but its path was far more dramatic. The team traded wins with strong Austria (1-2, 1-0), while losing twice to a less talented Bosnia and Herzegovina side (0-1, 1-3). Thanks to a strong Nations League campaign, the national team still reached the playoffs, where it lost to Turkey (0-1). That match became the last in the life of manager Mircea Lucescu.

While the coach was fighting for his life in the hospital, the Tricolors failed to win for the sixth time in their last seven unofficial matches. This time, they lost to Slovakia (0-2), another team that also failed in World Cup qualifying.

Another Romanian soccer legend, Gheorghe Hagi, has now taken charge. The country’s all-time leading scorer decided to experiment with the goalkeeper position. Of the three called up, only Marian Aioani has played for the national team, and even he has made just one appearance. Vlad Chiricheș, a very experienced player and an important figure in midfield, was not called up due to injury. During the camp, key fullbacks Andrei Rațiu and Nicușor Bancu, as well as Dennis Man, the team’s main attacking star, also picked up injuries. It is still possible that some of them will recover in time.

Georgia vs Romania Predicted Lineup

Georgia (3-5-2): Mamardashvili – Dvali, Kashia, Lochoshvili – Mamageishvili, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili, Davitashvili, Azarov – Zivzivadze, Mikautadze

Out: Guliashvili (injury), Gocholeishvili, Kakabadze, Kvaratskhelia, Tsitaishvili (all out of the squad)

Manager: Willy Sagnol

Romania (4-3-3): Aioani – Sorescu, Ghiță, Drăgușin, Ciubotaru – R. Marin, Stanciu, I. Hagi – Dobre, Tănase, Mihăilă

Out: Radu, Manea, Chiricheș (all injured), Drăguș (out of the squad), Bancu, Rațiu, Petrila, Man, Bîrligea (all doubtful)

Manager: Gheorghe Hagi

Georgia vs Romania Prediction: Georgia to Win at 2.09

• Main Pick: Both teams have major squad issues. Still, despite Kvaratskhelia’s absence, Georgia’s attack looks more dangerous. Man is just as important to Romania’s setup, and besides him, several other key players mentioned above could also miss the match. Lucescu had much more international experience than the current manager, while Romania has lost four of its last five away matches. The context of Kashia’s farewell match should not be overlooked either: he is Georgia’s all-time appearance leader with 128 caps. With home support behind them, the Crusaders should give their captain a fitting send-off. We will take Georgia to win at 2.09 and a 1-0 correct score at 7.00.
• Total Pick: It is difficult to expect an open, high-scoring game when both teams cannot fully rely on their main attacking stars. Georgia has already failed to score more than two goals in 12 of its last 17 matches across all competitions. San Marino and Cyprus are clearly below Romania’s level, and if those games are excluded, Romania averaged 0.9 xG across World Cup qualifying and its last two friendlies against Canada (0-3) and Slovakia (0-2), scoring in only three of seven matches. Under 2.5 goals is available at 1.83.